Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information
Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization
Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at
http://www.immunizationinfo.org.
The British Health
Protection Agency revealed on Monday that the triple vaccine against measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR) is being administered to fewer children. The
organization said that just 78.9 percent of eligible two-year-olds were given
the vaccine during the first three months of 2003, down 2.1 percent from the
last three months of 2002. As a result, the cases of measles, mumps, and
rubella in the first quarter of 2003 were overwhelmingly among children who had
not received the vaccine. Agency official Natasha Crowcroft said that the slide
indicates that parents are still unsure about the MMR vaccine, despite efforts
by health groups to promote its safety and effectiveness.
DISCLAIMER:
All information, data, and material contained, presented, or provided here
is for general information purposes only and is not to be construed as
reflecting the knowledge or opinions of the publisher, and is not to be
construed or intended as providing medical or legal advice. The decision
whether or not to vaccinate is an important and complex issue and should
be made by you, and you alone, in consultation with your health care
provider.
"A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth."
-- Albert Einstein, letter to a friend, 1901
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
"What's the point of vaccination if it doesn't protect you from the unvaccinated?"
-- Sandy Gottstein
"Who gets to decide what the greater good is and how many will be sacrificed to it?"