A second child has died from measles-related causes in Texas as the outbreak infects at least 505 people and spreads across 22 states. The US had no reported measles deaths in over a decade until this year.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former anti-vaccine advocate, now says the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles. David Edmonston, who played a crucial role in creating the measles vaccine, agrees. His experience with the researchers behind the vaccine made him realize how ethical and careful they were, contrasting with current vaccine skeptics.
The US had previously reported no deaths from measles in more than a decade. However, this year’s outbreak has seen two children die from measles-related causes. The MMR vaccine is considered one of the 20th century’s major advances in public health, saving an estimated 94 million lives in the last 50 years.
Edmonston’s initial reluctance to get his son vaccinated changed after realizing he had been misinformed about the risks. He now considers himself a vaccine advocate and urges people to listen to credible sources and not spread misinformation. His experience highlights the importance of trust in medical experts and the need for accurate information about vaccines.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/man-whose-blood-helped-develop-measles-vaccine-weighs-in-on-recent-outbreak