MovieZyng

Through April 19 this year, 626 measles cases have been confirmed in 22 states, an increase of 71 cases in the past week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Image/CDC

The CDC notes, this is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000, second only to the 667 cases reported during all of 2014. In the coming weeks, 2019 confirmed case numbers will likely surpass 2014 levels.

In a statement from Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research today,  it states:

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been approved in the United States for nearly 50 years to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (also known as German Measles). As a result of its use, measles and rubella were completely eradicated in the United States, and mumps cases decreased by 99%. 

Large well-designed studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine and have demonstrated that administration of the vaccine is not associated with the development of autism. However we’re seeing an increasing number of outbreaks of measles in communities across the country, including those in New York, New Jersey, Washington, California, and Michigan.

5 Vaccine preventable diseases in the US: Then and now

We cannot state strongly enough – the overwhelming scientific evidence shows that vaccines are among the most effective and safest interventions to both prevent individual illness and protect public health.

Image/TDH

Vaccinating against measles, mumps and rubella not only protects us and our children, it protects people who can’t be vaccinated, including children with compromised immune systems due to illness and its treatment, such as cancer. 

We do not take lightly our responsibility to ensure the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and work diligently to assess safety and effectiveness of all licensed vaccines for their intended uses. The MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against measles, mumps, and rubella. It also prevents complications caused by these diseases. And we have nearly 50 years of experience and evidence supporting that fact. In fact, according to the CDC, two doses of the MMR vaccine beginning at 12 months of age (the recommended dosing schedule) are 97% effective against measles, 88% effective against mumps, and 97% effective for rubella.

Ukraine closes in on 40,000 measles cases

Tennessee reports 1st measles case of 2019

Global measles up 300 percent in 2019

Measles reported in the city of Detroit as Michigan total rises

NYC measles outbreak tops 300 cases, Lawsuits over mandatory vaccinations

Connecticut reports 3rd measles of the year, linked to Brooklyn outbreak