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Without Measles Herd Immunity, Vulnerable Kids Are at Risk
Summary
In this segment, Dr Jacobson discusses the importance of vaccine efficacy in controlling measles outbreaks. The measles vaccine is 97% effective, meaning a small percentage of individuals do not develop immunity. Herd immunity protects these individuals by limiting the virus's ability to spread. Dropping vaccination rates, now at 92% for kindergarteners, leaves those who do not respond to the vaccine at increased risk. Dr Offit references a 1999 measles outbreak in the Netherlands, where vaccinated individuals in largely unvaccinated communities faced greater risk than unvaccinated individuals in communities with high vaccination coverage.
Key Takeaways:
The vaccine is 97% effective, leaving a small portion of individuals without immunity.
Community-level vaccination rates matter: Exposure risk increases even for vaccinated individuals in areas with low overall coverage.
Herd immunity creates protective 'halos' around those who are vulnerable, highlighting the need to maintain high immunization rates.
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