Recent outbreaks of curable infectious diseases raise questions about safety and misinformation. These outbreaks are a reminder that health is not just an individual concern but a public health issue.
Different vaccinations are administered at various ages. Several are recommended for infants and children to promote long term immunity.
One of these recommended vaccines include the Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine. Widespread use of the MMR vaccine reduced measles cases to the point of near elimination. Cases were reduced by 99 percent nation wide.
In 2019, measles cases hit a 25-year high in the U.S.. These outbreaks primarily affected small pockets of the country, centralizing in dense populations and tightknit communities. Locally two cases have been confirmed by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District.
Questions of efficacy and safety lead some parents to opt their children out of vaccine requirements for school enrollment. Several states are limiting exemptions to vaccines.
What do parents need to know about vaccines? How do local health officials address this public heath concern?
What are local scientists doing to develop better immunity around the world?
Guests:
- Joanne Turner, Ph.D., vice president for research at Texas Biomed and executive director of the Vaccine Development Center of San Antonio
- Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, Ph.D., MPH, San Antonio program director at The Immunization Partnership
- Anita Kurian, MBBS, MPH, DrPH, assistant director of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 210-614-8980, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet at @TPRSource.
*This interview was recorded on Thursday, June 27.
