One of the most feared consequences of the rise of antivaxxery is the resurgence of deadly contagious infectious diseases. The drumbeat of antivaxxery has been ongoing for decades making limited progress, until Trump and the GOP aligned with the movement. Promoting fake experts on FOX News, the Trump strategy uses COVID as a tool to attack Biden criticizing the response, including vaccination, as government overreach - a socialist attack on individual liberty. That argument has gotten traction, at least among hard core Republicans. Despite much higher COVID death rates, Republicans still rally around antivaxxery.
Another under appreciated outcome however is the return of long forgotten infectious diseases due to the decline in vaccination overall.
We have seen polio, pertussis, varicella and measles outbreaks popping up again. Most young physicians have never seen a case of measles, but they will likely soon. The following is an important message to doctors in Utah that should be shared with doctors in others states. Measles is extremely contagious and can cause severe morbidity and mortality.
“Recently, an unvaccinated Utah resident traveled internationally and contracted measles. This person potentially exposed many Utahns to measles after their return. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services encourages clinicians to review the clinical presentation of measles and consider testing individuals who fit the clinical picture. Information about testing is included in the attachment.
We also encourage clinicians to use this as a reminder to review vaccination records with patients. We know many children are behind on their vaccines due to the pandemic and this is a good opportunity to remind parents of the importance of getting all recommended vaccines. It is also important to review all vaccines prior to travel. CDC recommends infants as young as 6 months of age receive a dose of MMR vaccine if they are going to be traveling internationally. Please see the attachment for more information about measles and vaccination.
If you have not done so already, join the DHHS infectious disease listserv to receive updates on infectious disease trends and concerns in Utah by sending an email request to epi@utah.gov and include “subscribe hl-microbiology” in the subject line. More information is in the attachment.
For questions or additional information reach out to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services at 1-888-EPI-UTAH (374-8824).
Dr. Leisha Nolen
Utah State Epidemiologist”
This is likely just the beginning of the return of nearly eradicated infectious diseases, the predictable result of the attack on public health brought by the antivaxx movement and its fake experts.
The medical industrial complex has become so corrupt and entrenched with all the other corruptions going on like the almost impossibility of feeding onself with nourshing, non-toxic food, that the body's immune system no longer has a chance to function the way nature intended. If we were to eliminate all processed and synthetic garbage food which comprises the majority of people's diet these days, our immune systems would have a much easier time of it and even the thought of vaccines wouldn't be necessary. But it's just the way all parties except the unknowing victims like it. It's a giant corrupt money-go-round at the expense of people's health. It's disgusting and you promote it.
A cold hard look at the quackery inherent in so many vaccines: https://amidwesterndoctor.substack.com/p/what-are-the-risks-and-benefits-of