New research on fatal measles complications shows how the failure to vaccinate endangers not only the patient, but also everyone else susceptible to the disease.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a neurological disorder that can develop years after someone has measles, and it is fatal 100% of the time. Previously it was thought rare at about one in 100,000 post-measles cases. But recent research in Germany shows that it occurs in one in 1,700 children infected with measles before they turned five, and a new study finds the incidence can be as many as one in 600 for infants who contract measles before they’re vaccinated. The findings were presented at IDWeek 2016, the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Since the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine isn’t recommended for children under 12 months, the only effective way of preventing it and fatal post-measles disorders like SSPE is through “herd immunity”–vaccinating enough people to prevent the spread of the disease even among those too young to receive the vaccine.
"This is really alarming and shows that vaccination truly is lifesaving," said James D. Cherry, MD, MSc, an author of the study, and a distinguished research professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. "Measles is a disease that could be eliminated worldwide, but that means vaccinating at least 95% of all who are eligible with two doses of measles vaccine in order to protect everyone, including those who aren't old enough to get the vaccine."
Measles is among the most contagious of all diseases, notorious for laying low during periods of high vaccination and then exploding in the population when enough people are susceptible. Because of this, 95% of people need to be vaccinated with two doses to protect those who aren't, added Dr. Cherry. The first dose of MMR is typically given between 12 and 15 months with a second dose given to children before they begin school. Nearly 92% of U.S. children 19-35 months old have received the MMR vaccine, according to the CDC.
The anti-vaccination movement has attempted to link MMR with autism by using the results of now discredited research (conducted by a discredited researcher). Several large epidemiological studies have contradicted the link, but still the movement persists despite overwhelming evidence. The latest study further underscores just how dangerous this mindset is–the stakes of getting it wrong are life and death.
The study results were reported at IDWeek 2016, the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
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