Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection
At least two people have tested positive for measles in Illinois and public health officials are working to combat misinformation surrounding vaccines in an effort to curb the spread.
Health officials said the measles virus is highly infectious and especially concerning for babies and young children, as well as people who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems. It can cause pneumonia, brain damage and even be fatal in some cases.
Dr. Kiran Joshi, interim chief operating officer at the Cook County Department of Public Health, said it is also preventable through vaccination, with two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine providing nearly 100% lifelong protection.
“Ninety-seven percent of people who got measles this year happened to be unvaccinated,” Joshi pointed out. “Vaccination is incredibly protective.”
Joshi added over the past 50 years, the measles vaccine has saved more than 150 million lives across the world. He noted the department has launched a campaign to counter some of the misinformation that is circulating.
Public health officials are focusing campaign efforts on unvaccinated people. Joshi explained it includes having multiple conversations with hesitant patients and providing evidence-backed information. He stressed misinformation about preventive measures like taking vitamin A is concerning and not scientifically proven.
“There are a lot of myths out there, such as ‘vaccines can cause autism,'” Joshi pointed out. “I want to state categorically that is incorrect, that there’s no credible evidence to support that, yet these myths continue to perpetuate.”
Joshi added the myths have potentially contributed to more than 900 measles cases reported across the country.
“When you look at the research, when you look at the evidence, all of that has been subjected to pretty rigorous standards,” Joshi outlined. “We also go to the nature of science, that you have to be able to repeat studies. You have to look at the research as a whole, instead of sort of cherry-picking.”
He advised anyone with questions to speak with their primary care provider about their vaccine records and ensure they are getting any health information from reputable sources.
