E. Johnson
The 1971 implementation of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine (MMR) decreased the number of fatalities from measles. Recently, the number of measles cases increased due to anti-vaccine (anti-vax) parents believing MMR vaccines cause autism. These misled parents ignore the benefits from the MMR vaccine and refuse vaccines for their children. In order to see the MMR vaccine’s effect on public health, a recent study tracked the number of fatal measles cases. Scientists found that the number of children’s lives saved by MMR outweigh the complications due to vaccination.
![Measles case-fatality rates (CFR) versus rates of complications for children with measles in Gweru, Zimbabwe, 1967–1989. Reprinted with permission from [223].](https://oup.silverchair-cdn.com/oup/backfile/Content_public/Journal/jid/189/Supplement_1/10.1086_377712/2/m_189-supplement_1-s4-fig006.gif?Expires=1578597272&Signature=LThqdQyqxqTIQYfjSYGJIgIBuoYO3QxS-cPWh6t2WnCkwH7n8SYH0NYewQO41wd3iTFEkU4XUc-hCmiKP9-NUDQW5A79xMn6ukiHeaC~ETRQwww9GBDan8P8SVXgn6VSFD5qXCfrCEGRe17nSPKK5OpUHjIAtY8vybVuaF0y4VGfxP7UUWoMuEPHTs4SZ8Y65K8jlfu0v2GShElMsKVqAkk1cyoYgiaba5lxCc7vGdqP2nIjxNx7swgDdXQNWpbFm7CpjlasgNP8-973e5YOW2o2gDowhe9LAxNXnV-dVA9syJtUy2nvM5qADtx5hw75Tq74ejpOFT~SkNhl7ValpA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIE5G5CRDK6RD3PGA)
Measles complications and fatalities were monitored from 1967 to 1989. The case fatality rate (CFR) relates to patients who died from measles, while the complication rate includes non-lethal problems such as diarrhea or pneumonia that measles patients suffered. From 1969 to 1972, the number of fatalities decreases 12 fold, from about 60 to 5. Fatality rates dropped to zero from 1985 through 1989. Some might argue that vaccines did not reduce the number of complications, so the value of MMR is minimal. It is true that complications persisted after 1971, but vaccinated people who contract measles will have a milder case and are less likely to die as a result. Milder cases can still cause complications; but death from measles was eliminated due to vaccination.
By 1985, the MMR vaccine eliminated measles in America, however, recent outbreaks have occurred due to unvaccinated children being more susceptible. If parents recognized the benefits of the MMR vaccine, they might not be so reluctant to vaccinate their children. By accepting misinformation about vaccines, anti-vax parents endanger their children’s lives and the lives of others. A child with measles puts adults and children at risk, especially in communities where anti-vax sentiments are prevalent. Acknowledging the benefits of the MMR vaccine might decrease the number of unvaccinated children, and measles might once again be eliminated, saving children’s lives.
* Perry and Halsey. The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2004.
