LONDON – July 16: Gastroenterologist Dr. Andrew Wakefield arrives with wife Carmel flanked by … [+]
The outbreak of measles in the west of Texas continues to grow. That is no surprise in an area with many non -vaccinated children and a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air.
The most recent count today was 48 infections, an increase of 24 only three days ago. All cases of measles were in non -vaccinated people and thirteen are sick enough to require hospitalization. We have to expect many more cases.
Vaccination rates for kindergarten have fallen far below the 95% rate that is needed for herd immunity. The lowest states are Alaska (78%), Wisconsin (82.6%) and Georgia (83.2%). Nine states were recently below 90%. The exemption percentages gradually rise to 3.3% in the 2023-24 school year. In 14 jurisdictions, the rate was more than 5%. In 2024, 8% of the parents found that Vaccination -requirements were not necessary. The exemption percentages were highest in Idaho (14.3%), Alaska (9.5%), Utah (9.3%), Arizona (8.5%), Oregon (8.9%) and Wisconsin (8% ).
Robert F. Kennedy, JR has been Anti-Vax for decades
RFK JR was just confirmed as secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services. His appointment has concerned many people about different issues, including what his actions will mean for vaccinations and infectious diseases.
Although RFK JR said that he would not remove vaccines from people, he would probably discourage their use. He said that Vaccines are unsafe, cause autismAnd that “the Covid shots are a crime against humanity.”
If he discourages measles vaccines, we will see deaths and disabilities come back from that infection. Pneumonia occurs in 1 in 20, encephalitis (brain swelling) at 1/1000 and deaths in 1-3/1000. One of the most sad things is that children are killed because they were too young (or immunocomromized) to be vaccinated, but were infected by a person who was sick with measles who chose not to be vaccinated.
A NPR/KFF -article by Arthur Allen quotes a list of James Hodge, expert in the field of public health at Arizona State University. This list outlines some of the ways in which RFK JR could undermine vaccination programs. The list includes postponing approvals, distributing incorrect information and paralyzing the national vaccine compensation program. NVIC is essential to protect pharmaceutical companies against lawsuits and would lead to them leaving the development and production of vaccines.
Stacking the advisory committee of the CDC for immunization practices with vaccine opponents can lead to the withdrawal of recommendations for vaccination. Private insurers cover the costs of vaccinations that have been approved by the ACIP, so that opponents can make the costs of vaccines for individuals unaffordable.
In November 2023, RFK Jr., talking about the Anti-Vax Child Health Defense: “We are going to give infectious diseases a break for about eight years” to concentrate on chronic diseases.
We are confronted with the potential of a large bird flu pandemie. Will RFK JR block the development and approval of effective vaccines?
Other threats for vaccinations
Florida has been a leader in reducing vaccines and masking mandates. In 2023, Governor Desantis signed a bill “Medical Freedom” (SB 252) mainly directed against COVID-19 vaccines. However, the provisions also include all Emergency use authorizations and on mrna -based vaccines. The surgeon general of Florida, Joseph Ladapo, is very pronounced in the distribution of wrong information.
Kennedy is not only in threatening vaccinations.
Last year Trump promised during the campaign Cut financing to schools with vaccine requirements Or mask mandates.
Last year in Idaho, a Public Health Department stopped giving COVID-19Gaccins after the board of the Southwest District Health Department had voted to ban immunisations. They partially doubted the safety of the vaccine, although there is considerable evidence that the vaccine saved millions of lives.
From 2022, thirteen states of vaccine mandates for employees, including those in health care.
This week, on Wednesday, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-ky. Turn the approval of COVID-19Gaccins.
And in addition to the direct threats for vaccinations, Kennedy has sworn to dismiss hundreds of researchers at the FDA and NIH. How will one of these actions help us retain our scientific lead or to serve us in the following pandemic?