To be filled with fury at increase in measles cases

[GivenAndDenied]

We've had a letter sent round my DD school recently, telling us of an increase nationwide, and in our county, of measles, and offering advice on what to do to protect children.

I get that there are some children (and adults) who cannot be vaccinated for genuine health reasons relating to other existing health conditions. And my fury is absolutely not aimed at them. If everyone else is responsible and vaccinates their kids, then these vulnerable members of our society who cannot be vaccinated will be hopefully protected by herd immunity.

But it makes me furious that because of people listening to woo and bollocks about vaccines, that we are having an increase in life-threatening illnesses, and getting letters about how best to protect your children. How best to protect your children is to goddamn vaccinate them.

Totally agree. Needles and pointless. Anti vaccination sheep make my blood boil.

There are a lot of cases coming from Romania and Poland as there is an epidemic there just now too. So people who travel there either to go on holiday or go home can bring it back

I got the same letter yesterday and it made my anxiety sky rocket. There is a confirmed case in my daughter's class and my son isn't due his MMR until next week. I'm so worried about it, he's a preemie and particularly vulnerable. I don't understand why you wouldn't vaccinate and risk not only your child's health but others around them

I had scarlet fever recently - and am aware this is not something that can be vaccinated against, but I was so ill with it and then had some pretty serious complications after as a result that it really made me think about how bloody lucky we are to live in an age where many killer diseases can be prevented through vaccination and about how anybody could decide not to vaccinate against things like measles purely based on discredited research, anecdotes, woo, complete lack of understanding and scientific illiteracy etc. Having been about as ill as I've ever been in my life, the idea that a parent might choose not to ensure their child ever became equally or more seriously ill baffles me, particularly when the explanation they give is just regurgitated non-science rather than at least one based on their own extensive consideration and wide scientific reading.

Totally totally agree. Have absolutely no time for ‘anti-vaxxers’, even the word makes me cross. Universally stupid and selfish.

You know that you can still get measles if vaccinated? And that not everyone can be vaccinated?

By all means be furious but I am not sure why or who with.

It has already been mentioned that there are epidemics in other countries - we live in a global society now and illnesses travel very easily.

The 'anti-vax' movement is just one aspect of the current global trend towards anti science, anti facts, and anti logic 'thinking', it is very disturbing, and disheartening.
Just a reminder about the guy who is at the centre of the Anti-vax movement, Andrew Wakefield: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield (He has taken his roadshow of fuckwittery to the US where, inevitably his ideas are being lapped up)

There are even reports of the Anti-vax crowd targeting vulnerable refugee communities of Somalians (IIRC) in Minnesota, who have taken their message on board and where record high cases of measles are being reported. The Anti-vax movement is absolutely unethical and a prime example of stupidity leading to evil.

The selfishness of anti vaccination brigade knows no bounds. my DB is dead due to childhood measles in a developing country. A woman I know is homeschooling her adopted daughter as herd immunity at her local primaries is very low and her daughter was born with hiv, cannot be vaccinated and is a huge risk due to compromised immunity.

@itstimeforanamechange are you an anti vaxxer?

OP is furious with those parents that don’t vaccinate because their internet research is apparently worth more than immunology experts and vaccine development.

And surely global communities mean vaccine uptake should be increased? For the herd protection across the earth and not just your local community?

YANBU

The sad thing is that these people have such an unshakeable belief that they're right that there is often no way to get through to them. They are literally willing to risk their own children's lives because they're so adamant about it, so it's no wonder that any pleas about other people's children have no impact.

I think the government should do more about cracking down on these people who opt out of vaccinations as it simply isn't fair on those vulnerable people who can't protect themselves and don't have that option.

itstimeforanamechange To address your points:

You know that you can still get measles if vaccinated? - If you have had both MMR jabs, the chance of getting measles is only about 1% I believe, so yes, it's possible but unlikely. But nobody would blame anyone who was vaccinated if they got it. And again, if everyone who could vaccinate, did, then those who couldn't plus those who were in the 1% should be protected.

And that not everyone can be vaccinated? - I think you need to read my OP fully.

By all means be furious but I am not sure why or who with. - I thought I was pretty clear, but in case you're not clear, then it's fuckwits who don't vaccinate their children when they are capable of it.

It has already been mentioned that there are epidemics in other countries - we live in a global society now and illnesses travel very easily. - This is true. But again, if we had good coverage in our population, this would be less of a risk. But I think this is a bit of a red herring. I think we are more at risk from idiots who don't vaccinate, than the minority who come to this country unvaccinated.

I'm livid too. Two of my friends' babies caught measles this year, pre MMR. I'll soon have a newborn and am terrified of measles. My 3yo DS is up to date with his jabs but how can I trust anybody else is?

I wish we were like the USA no vaccination (barring medical issues) no schooling so if you are anti vax you are atleast minizing problems.

As in you have to homeschool

You know that you can still get measles if vaccinated? And that not everyone can be vaccinated?

I would say it's pretty clear that she does know that as she put it in her opening post.

It annoys me too. I've had the vaccination 3 times. It just doesn't work on me. When those letters start going round and I'm either pregnant or just had a baby it does make me worry.

My last pregnancy, I told them about the vaccination as they offer it to you after baby is born to be told they don't screen for it anymore as its so rare people have not had it.

I'm not sure how much of it is anti vaxxers causing the problems tbh.

Look at the rates of vaccination by area. Deprived areas and those with a lot of minorities are the lowest rates.

It's a lack of education / communication / relationship building with these communities which is the major issue.

Chicken pox vaccine is given with MMR in America. Read any American sites and they're horrified that we don't vaccinate against chickenpox and simply see it as a rite of passage ( I am aware you can vaccinate but most people choose not to)

Chickenpox can be horrendous. My little boy had a very serious case and was hospitalised. Do I get all angry about those hundreds of thousands of people who could and should have vaccinated against chickenpox?!

I think we've got ourselves to a state of hysteria about measles. Even the common cold can be deadly to those with compromised immune systems. I recall having measles as a child and whilst it wasn't pleasant, I've had much worse colds and personally found chickenpox much worse.

A lot of the times, especially in the poorer indo-Pakistani communities which I’m part of, it is laziness. People can’t be bothered to take the bus or walk to the clinic to get vaccinations for their kids and so opt out. This is despite local communities getting communications coming out of their ears; funding for translators etc. I personally think immunisation should be a pre-requisite for schooling in this country with exceptions only on health grounds. It would soon get rates up.

It makes me really angry and sad. After my 3 year old got diagnosed as Autistic some friends said I shouldn't vaccinate my baby 'in case'. So foolish. People don't realise how lucky we are to have vaccines

www.roalddahl.com/roald-dahl/timeline/1960s/november-1962

The American system is worth investigating. No Vax so no schooling. I wasn't aware that you could immunize against chicken pox but if it can be irradicted, I don't see why it's not offered.

My DC1 is autistic too. Is it the vaccine? Is it hell! He was born that way. And now, because he's vaccinated, he's protected against measles. Win.

YANBU. The UK should adopt a no jab no school policy.

@Sue51 the NHS says that they don't offer varicella as standard because sick children help protect adults from shingles (how messed up is that?) but more cubical people have suggested that it is a costs saving measure (even though if you look at the economy as a whole it is more cost effective to vaccinate than for parents to stay home with suck children). Most high earning parents I know have vaccinated against chicken pix privately for this reason.

Luckily in GB we live in a democratic society.
I had my 3 children vaccinated many years ago but can accept that not everyone wants to do this, for whatever reason is important to them.
Not everyone thinks or agrees the same thing in life.