Did you know measles cases are at a 20-year high in the United States right now? More than 500 cases have been reported in the first half of the year. This is the most since measles was considered eliminated from the U.S. in the late 1990's.
Pneumonia is the most common complication of this viral illness, for which there is no cure but a very safe and effective vaccine. Before routine immunization, 400-500 children died each year from measles and its complications. Most of the cases in the United States this year are in children whose parents refused immunization.
Despite earlier fears due to one fraudulent medical article, research has proven conclusively that there is absolutely no link between MMR vaccine and autism. I have a child with autism and it was definitely not caused by MMR vaccines or any other immunizations my child received.
By Dr. Hilary Webster, pediatrician, ThedaCare Physicians-Pediatrics in Appleton
