Vaccinate your kids!
Wednesday, Feb 6, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sheesh…
A second case of measles has been reported in Champaign-Urbana. Like the first case announced in January, this second case involves a member of the University of Illinois campus community.
“What we have right now are two college-age unvaccinated persons, who are infected with measles,” said Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Administrator Julie Pryde. “And we know that right now that it’s not into the school-age population, the K-through-12 or the younger children.”
Measles is more likely to result in potentially life-threatening complications among children under 5 and adults over 20, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control. Complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
Campus Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Andreas Cangellaris says the university is working with its own McKinley Health Center and the Public Health District to try to identify and warn anyone susceptible to measles about the local presence of the highly infectious disease. That includes anyone who has never had measles and who has never been vaccinated for it.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 1:40 pm:
I was not allowed to enroll at University of Chicago until I could prove that I was fully vaccinated. Why is this not the case at U of I?
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 1:42 pm:
If you can’t manage to get your kid vaccinated then you had better keep them inside your own house permanently. You are creating a danger to others.
I think that parents who do not vaccinate their kids should be found guilty of child abuse because their fitness to be a parent is certainly called into question.
- SSL - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 1:49 pm:
All kinds of stupid right there.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 1:50 pm:
Some very scary stuff in this NYT article about the measles outbreaks in Washington State: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/us/measles-outbreak.html
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:07 pm:
One of the stranger things I’ve seen in Springfield was Robert Kennedy, Jr., testifying about his vaccine conspiracy theories a few years ago.
Mandatory vaccination is one of the great public health victories.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
If the parents are too goofy, go straight to the kids who’ve turned (or about to) turn 18. This is an “unforced” PUBLIC health hazard.
- Bluesssss - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:12 pm:
If my kids can’t bring peanut butter to school your kids shouldn’t be able to bring measles.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:15 pm:
Like most human affairs, this is going to have to turn into a crisis before it is taken more seriously.
If you are concerned for yourself and others, and it has been more than 20 years since your last vaccination, talk to your doctor about getting a possible booster shot.
The vaccine is supposed to last a lifetime however individual cases will vary depending on your immune system, so make it a point to have a discussion about your specific case with your doctor - and then listen to what they tell you to do.
No need for a special appointment, just bring it up at your next yearly physical.
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:17 pm:
==I was not allowed to enroll at University of Chicago until I could prove that I was fully vaccinated. Why is this not the case at U of I?==
I remember this being the case as well when I entered UofC. But I have since learned that schools allow a religious exemption; at least some make you agree not to attend class in the event of a disease outbreak if you claim this exemption. There may be other exemptions?
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:20 pm:
UIUC requires students to submit proof of 2 MMR doses before enrolling either by official immunization records or by a signed statement by a health provider. The only exceptions are medical, requiring a signed document from a physician as to why a particular vaccine is contraindicated; pregnancy; or a religious exemption which requires contact with the Dean of Students.
- Stuff Happens - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:22 pm:
@soccermom: Illinois immunization law allows exemptions for medical or religious reasons, both at U of C and U of I.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:26 pm:
–All kinds of stupid right there.–
Mostly allegedly highly-educated, certainly affluent stupid at that. The selfishness and lack of concern for community is infuriating.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:27 pm:
==religious reasons==
You shouldn’t be allowed any religious exemptions when it comes to vaccinations. There is a compelling government interest in terms of public health that should override any religious objection. The courts have never held that any right is absolute and in fact have made such rulings when it comes to children’s health. For example, courts have overruled the objection of Jehovah’s Witness parents when it comes to blood transfusions.
- Chunga - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:32 pm:
How does areligious objection give you the right to put another persons child at risk? Church and state are separated this is a state issue. Get vaccinated
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:36 pm:
Why would this be of any concern except to those few who are not vaccinated?
- Smalls - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:41 pm:
–Why would this be of any concern except to those few who are not vaccinated?–
This is a community issue. There are some people that cannot get vaccinated for various medical reasons. The way we help protect them is to have everyone else vaccinated. It is called herd immunity. So healthy children who do not get vaccinated put these vulnerable people at a greater risk. This is why it is a concern for more than just those that aren’t vaccinated.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:43 pm:
–Why would this be of any concern except to those few who are not vaccinated?–
There are groups that cannot be vaccinated or have immune system problems. They are put at risk through no fault of their own.
Feel free to educate yourself on the subject of community immunity. Not a difficult concept.
- Threepwood - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:52 pm:
Anon @ 2:36:
Because vaccination is not a 100% guarantee against infection. Vaccinated individuals can and do contract the disease they’ve been protected against, for various reasons, including the fact that diseases evolve and have often substantial variability in the existing population, and that not every person’s immune system responds fully to a vaccine. Further, some people cannot be vaccinated or experience periods where their immune response is compromised; those people are especially vulnerable to infection.
Ensuring that the maximum number of people possible are vaccinated against a disease greatly reduces the potential exposure of vulnerable individuals TO that disease; there just aren’t enough sick people around to expose them. In some cases, a really good vaccination program can even eradicate a disease altogether. Unfortunately to protect vulnerable individuals or eradicate a disease you need VERY high vaccination rates, so you can’t afford to let many things chip away at those rates. Religious exemptions throw some pebbles into a very small bathtub.
I don’t support religious exemptions…but I also recognize what a can of worms that is.
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 2:58 pm:
If no proof of vaccination is provided, no admission period. No religious exemptions either. We have to allow science and common sense to rule the day here people.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 3:11 pm:
===I was not allowed to enroll at University of Chicago until I could prove that I was fully vaccinated. Why is this not the case at U of I?===
When I enrolled in grad school at UIUC in the 90s, I had to produce my vaccination records.
- Bruce (no not him) - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 3:13 pm:
Are foreign students required to get all the same vaccinations as domestic students? Or are there federal rules or laws about entry into the US?
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 3:20 pm:
==So creepy is the obsession ==
And so ignorant are those who oppose vaccinations.
==CDC vaccine schedule contains 150% more vaccines than existed some 30,40,50 years ago==
You can’t be that dense. Don’t you think we’ve had a few pharmacological advancements since then which allow for more preventative vaccines?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 3:21 pm:
We had a hard time getting college immunization requirements on the books and one of the most angry exchanges I had with a legislator was over his attempt to further water down the requirements. He said I was personally out to harm him and wouldn’t listen to my point that immunizations were one of the basic tenets of public health.
People don’t understand that not immunizing their kids, puts others at risk.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
UIUC is just following the law on the books. Want them to stop making religious exemptions? Great. Talk to the GA about it.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 4:08 pm:
—–Are foreign students required to get all the same vaccinations as domestic students? Or are there federal rules or laws about entry into the US?
It is determined by the school requirements as far as I’m aware, but I don’t know of any that don’t require all students to have the same vaccinations and often those requirements come from state law.
- Alex Ander - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 4:13 pm:
If you have a religious objection to vaccination then go to a private college that allows that. Time to make public schools vaccine only.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 4:19 pm:
—==CDC vaccine schedule contains 150% more vaccines than existed some 30,40,50 years ago==
Yes, this is known as scientific progress. The degree of scientific progress during this same period is staggering.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 5:01 pm:
–Why would this be of any concern except to those few who are not vaccinated?–
Its worth clarifying that one group that cannot be vaccinated are infants. They carry the immunity from the mother for a short time (assuming she is immune). But then are exposed until they are old enough to be vaccinated.
- A 400lb. Guy on a bed - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 5:53 pm:
Have you noticed that the anti-vaccine people are the same folks who say education =indoctrination & taxation is theft?
- Downstate Rube - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 6:55 pm:
No I haven’t noticed this. Is this your opinion or do you have a source?
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 7:01 pm:
===ave you noticed that the anti-vaccine people are the same folks who say education =indoctrination & taxation is theft?
Most of the polling I’ve seen on it seems to indicate that it comes from fringe types on both left and right.
- Barrington - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 7:24 pm:
Vaccination should not be a choice, unless there is a real medical reason.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 7:32 pm:
–Are foreign students required to get all the same vaccinations as domestic students? Or are there federal rules or laws about entry into the US?=
Foreign nationals must be completely vaccinated or they are not allowed to enter the US to go to school.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Feb 6, 19 @ 7:39 pm:
An un-vaccinated person is a clear and present danger to a transplant recipient on immunosuppressants … know from personal experience.
- 37B - Thursday, Feb 7, 19 @ 3:29 am:
Vaccination. Sounds like another post-war Commie plot. - General Jack D. Ripper
- logic not emotion - Thursday, Feb 7, 19 @ 8:26 am:
If you support immunization requirements, be sure to make your voice heard next time the issue comes up. If memory serves, there was significant concern about whether latest changes would be approved due to outcry from anti-vaccine folks last time.