Bear in mind that measles used to be a childhood disease, prior to vaccination. In children, in developed nations like ours, measles usually has no long-term consequences. It is well known, however, that in adults measles is frequently quite serious. Revaccination is also known to be of questionable value, so we may have traded the small risk of long-term consequences from measles in childhood, for a much larger risk of such consequences in adulthood. - SM
http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s447821.htm
Wednesday, December 26, 2001 . Posted: 11:01:18 (AEDT)
The Northern Territory Health Department is urging people to ensure they are
vaccinated against measles, especially if they are travelling to other parts of
Australia or overseas.
Disease Control director Vicki Kraus, says the Territory has not had a case of
measles since 1999.
"We are working towards elimination of measles in Australia and we hope we
are happily on our way in the Northern Territory," she said.
"That is why we are prompting people to make sure that their measles
vaccination is up to date."
Ms Krause says in other parts of the country the situation is different.
"In addition to promoting the childhood vaccination schedule, we are also
very much promoting that adults check their immunisation coverage," she
said.
"What we are seeing now is that most of the measles is actually in teenage
years and young adults."
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