Israel confronts a frightening Measles outbreak

The notion that measles "isn't all that dangerous" is a common misconception, often fueled by the success of vaccination programs that have made outbreaks rare in many places. In reality, measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe complications, long-term health issues, and even death, particularly in unvaccinated populations.

Before widespread immunization, it caused millions of deaths annually worldwide.

We continue to vaccinate not because the virus has become harmless, but to prevent its resurgence, protect vulnerable groups, and maintain the dramatic health gains achieved over decades.

Below, I'll break down the dangers of measles and the compelling reasons for ongoing immunization, based on data from health authorities.

The Real Dangers of Measles: Far From Harmless

Measles isn't just a mild childhood rash, it's an airborne virus that spreads rapidly through coughs, sneezes, or even breathing in contaminated air, remaining infectious on surfaces for up to two hours.

Symptoms start with high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and white spots in the mouth, followed by a full-body rash.

While some cases are mild, complications are common and can be life-altering:

Severe Health Risks: Up to 1 in 4 unvaccinated people who get measles end up hospitalized.

Common issues include pneumonia (the leading cause of measles-related death in children), encephalitis (brain swelling that can cause seizures, deafness, or intellectual disability), severe diarrhea leading to dehydration, ear infections, and blindness.

Mortality Rates: Globally, measles killed an estimated 107,500 people in 2023, mostly unvaccinated children under 5, despite a preventable vaccine.

In the pre-vaccine era (before 1963 in the U.S.), it caused about 2.6 million deaths yearly worldwide.

Even in developed countries, the fatality rate can be 1-2 per 1,000 cases, rising to 10-30% in malnourished or immunocompromised individuals.

Long-Term Effects: Measles weakens the immune system for months or years, making survivors more susceptible to other infections.

A rare but fatal complication, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), can emerge years later, causing progressive brain damage.

Vulnerable Groups at Highest Risk: Infants too young for vaccination, pregnant people (risking miscarriage or birth defects), malnourished children, and those with weakened immune systems (e.g., from HIV or chemotherapy) face the gravest dangers.

Outbreaks often hit underserved communities, exacerbating inequalities.

Recent disruptions, like those from the COVID-19 pandemic, have left gaps in vaccination coverage, leading to resurgences: In 2023, 22 million children missed their first dose, fueling outbreaks in over 50 countries.

Why We Still Immunize: Benefits Far Outweigh the Risks

The measles vaccine, typically given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot, is one of the most effective tools in public health, with two doses providing lifelong protection in about 97% of people.

It's safe, with serious side effects extremely rare (far less risky than contracting the disease itself).

Here's why vaccination remains crucial:

Preventing Individual and Community Harm:

1. Vaccination drastically reduces personal risk of infection and complications.

2. Unvaccinated children are 35 times more likely to get measles and can spread it to others, including those who can't vaccinate due to medical reasons.

3. Herd immunity (95% vaccination rate) protects entire communities, preventing outbreaks that could overwhelm hospitals.

4. Global and Historical Success: Since 2000, measles vaccination has averted over 60 million deaths worldwide.

In the U.S., cases dropped from millions annually pre-vaccine to near-elimination by 2000, but recent declines in uptake have sparked outbreaks, like the 2019 U.S. surge with over 1,200 cases.

Continued immunization is key to eradicating measles entirely, as with smallpox.

Economic and Societal Benefits: Outbreaks cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.

The vaccine is cheap (under $1 per child) and cost-effective, preventing expensive treatments for complications.

Countering Misinformation and Risks of Skipping Vaccination: Myths about vaccine safety (e.g., links to autism, debunked repeatedly) drive hesitancy, but data shows MMR is safer than the diseases it prevents.

Not vaccinating increases outbreak risks, as seen in under-vaccinated pockets where measles spreads like wildfire. Even post-exposure, vaccination can mitigate or prevent illness.

In short, we vaccinate because measles is dangerous, and immunization has transformed it from a deadly scourge into a preventable threat. Health experts like the CDC and WHO recommend two doses for children (first at 12-15 months, second at 4-6 years), with catch-up options for adults.

If you're unsure about your status, consult a doctor, protecting yourself protects everyone.