Canada loses its measles-free status, with US on track to follow https://t.co/1U3Pvckkfl ...

More than 150 schoolchildren quarantined as US measles cases hit 33-year high https://t.co/rPMmaKpHdT ...

Vaccine Policy & Public Health - A federal panel's new rules for COVID shots could reduce vaccine availability [1] - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ASIP) recommended that individuals under 65 consult a doctor before receiving the COVID vaccine, differing from previous recommendations for all Americans aged 6 months and older [2] - The panel also voted to restrict the use of the MMRV vaccine, advising against its use for children under four years old [2][3] - Childhood vaccination rates have been declining, leading to nearly 1,500 documented measles cases in the US this year, the highest level in over 25 years [10] Historical Context & Impact of Vaccines - In 1900, the US life expectancy was 473%, significantly lower than today's 784% due to infant and child mortality from preventable diseases [5][6] - Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in the early 1960s, the US saw 3 to 4 million measles cases annually, with 400 to 500 deaths [8] - Measles deaths declined by 90% in the decade after the introduction of measles vaccines, and measles was considered eliminated in the US in 2000 [9] - Vaccines are considered a top innovation for contributing to health, longevity, and overall human well-being [14] Skepticism vs Pseudoscience & Public Trust - The discussion around vaccines is not solely scientific, as panels are now populated with vaccine critics, some of whom have profited from that position [16] - It's important to distinguish legitimate skepticism, which is part of science, from pseudoscience, as public trust and polarization are key issues [17][19] - Herd immunity is crucial, and decreased vaccination rates can affect many people [21][22] - Vaccination is a public health issue and a shared responsibility for the safety and health of the community [22][23]

Health & Outbreak - Texas reports the end of its measles outbreak, the largest in the U S in decades [1]

Alarming new data shows that measles cases in the United States have reached a 33-year high. That is according to new data out of John's Hopkins University, hitting more than 1,200 confirmed cases across 38 states and Washington DC. The largest outbreak remains the one we've covered here, the one in West Texas.Officials there have recorded more than 750 cases of measles and believe the true toll is much higher than that. At least 155 people have been hospitalized across the country and three people have die ...

Measles cases in the US reach 33-year high https://t.co/uSsub2XW03 ...