Recently, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed measles in two unvaccinated visitors to Hawaii island. They were not vaccinated, became exposed in their home state of Washington, and consequently became sick after arriving here. Fortunately, these cases were identified early and steps were taken to minimize the risk of infection to others here.
Hawaii has a history of devastating illness and death among Native Hawaiians who had little or no natural immunity to many common diseases, most of which today can easily be prevented with safe and routine vaccinations. As it was then and is now, Hawaii remains a cornerstone for travel, and is vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks.
That’s one of many reasons why it’s so important for our residents to maintain high vaccination rates. Vaccines are the most effective and safe means of preventing contagious diseases.
Decreasing vaccination rates have become both a national and international concern. The World Health Organization recently highlighted “Ten threats to global health in 2019.” Alongside issues including the Ebola disease and climate change, is vaccine hesitancy — the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of effective and safe vaccines.
In the forefront of this issue is measles, once responsible for 500 deaths annually and targeted to follow polio as the next disease to be eliminated worldwide, now causing outbreaks in Europe and across the U.S..
The state Department of Health recently learned of individuals planning to conduct local meetings on the “dangers of immunizations.”
Similar groups have targeted communities across the United States with devastating results. Despite decades of scientific studies demonstrating vaccines are safe and effective, vaccination rates in a community in Minnesota plummeted after distribution of misinformation regarding vaccines, resulting in a 75-case measles outbreak in 2017. Oregon and Washington are now addressing outbreaks of measles as well.
DOH supports discussion and education regarding vaccines and encourages the public to seek science-based, accurate and balanced information about the benefits and risks of vaccination from credible sources. Five indisputable facts everyone should know about immunization are:
>> Fact 1: Immunization through vaccination is the safest way to protect against disease.
Vaccines produce an immune response similar to that produced by the natural infection, but without the serious risks of death or disability connected with natural infection. Three million deaths are prevented every year thanks to vaccines.
>> Fact 2: It is always best to get vaccinated, even when you think the risk of infection is low.
Deadly diseases that seem gone have a habit of making a comeback when immunization rates drop — as we see with the recent measles outbreaks across Europe. We all have a responsibility to prevent deadly diseases. Vaccination prevents 10.5 million cases of infectious disease each year.
>> Fact 3: Combined vaccines are safe and beneficial.
Giving several vaccines at the same time has no negative effect on a child’s immune system. It reduces discomfort for the child, and saves time and money.
Children are exposed to more antigens from a common cold than they are from vaccines.
>> Fact 4: There is no link between vaccines and autism.
There is no scientific evidence to link the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine with autism or autistic disorders. This unfortunate rumor started with a single 1998 study, which was quickly found to be seriously flawed, and was retracted by the journal that published it.
>> Fact 5: If we stop vaccination, deadly diseases will return.
Even with better hygiene, sanitation and access to safe water, infections still spread. When people are not vaccinated, infectious diseases that have become uncommon can quickly come back.
Our greatest priority is protecting and serving the communities in which we live. We value your trust in the work we do as public health professionals.
Bruce S. Anderson, Ph.D., is director of the Hawaii Department of Health.
