Over 600 measles cased now and nearly 500 in Texas, alone. And another death, bringing the total deaths to 3, all in unvaccinated people.
Meanwhile, 2 infants have died from pertussis (whooping cough), also on the rise due to antivax hysteria.
3 might not seem like a lot, except they were all preventable with the vax, which is one of the safest and most effective vaccines available, providing life time immunity to 97% of those who receive it.
But this is likely only the tip of the iceberg. Likely far more than 600 cases. Likely more deaths to follow. And, if this outbreak continues into January, the WHO will likely take away the U.S. status as being a measles-free nation, putting us in the category as many poor countries in the global south.
To those who feel vaccination is their choice, keep in mind that it's a choice they are imposing, nonconsensually, on millions of their neighbors who have no immunity through no fault of their own (eg infants aren't vaccinated until at least 12 mos; people on immune suppressing medications; people with immune supressing diseases). Also keep in mind that measles is so infectious that a single infected individual can infect up to 90% of the unvaccinated and immune compromised individuals they meet. And also keep in mind that even if it doesn't kill you, measles can erase your immune memory, making you much more susceptible to other deadly infections. It can also cause lifetime hearing impairment and potentially deadly brain damage that hits years after a measles infection.
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/us-measles-total-tops-600-cases-almost-500-texas
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