How Can Vaccinated People Contract Measles?

vaccineAlthough most of those infected with measles this year aren’t fully vaccinated, the disease is so contagious that it could wind up infecting many people who have had all of their recommended shots, health officials say.

California health officials have said that 82% of measles patients in that state were not fully vaccinated, suggesting that 18% have had a measle shot.

Does that mean that 18% of vaccinated people with come down with measles?

Not at all, says Gregory Wallace of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To understand why, Wallace says people should remember that measles if one of the most contagious viruses known.

The virus can linger in the air “like a ghost,” infecting people even two hours after the sick person has left the room, says Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Infected people also can spread measles for four days before they develop the tell-tale red rash, as well as four days after the rash goes away. Read more in USA Today.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. Curious question:
    (Not for or against)
    If vaccinations work, why are we so concerned with people who don’t vaccinate? The small percentage it doesn’t work for are affected regardless. As the article above says (read the full article) and as we’ve heard from doctors before vaccines work. So, why am I concerned if my neighbor doesn’t vaccinate?

  2. you are concerned about your neighbor b/c if the vaccine is not 100% effective a person still will not get the virus if no one around him/her are carrying it. whereas if non-vaccinated people carry and spread the disease, some who are not fully immune may get it. Additionally it poses a serious risk to babies who are too young to receive the vaccines and have to rely on those around them staying healthy and not spreading it to them ch”v

  3. Vaccines are not safe! Parents have good reason to be concerned! They need to fix the vaccines.

    One variable in this matter is that of the flu shot. Flu shots contain a preservative called Thimerosal, which is MERCURY.

    I dont care how little they say is in there (and who really knows – the OC Health Department cannot answer that question), if you were to extract ANY amount of mercury only, from a flu shot serum, via a syringe, who in their right minds would inject mercury into their child? Just because it’s in a cocktail of a flu shot, does not mitigate it is mercury going into the body.

    The government and private sector do not care about us. Irradiated food, poisonous chemicals in food and personal care products, GMO’s, cigarettes, etc., are all permitted for consumption. Why?

    It is clear that the bottom line has become the only line. The people we rely on for answers are the one’s who stand to profit.

    I don’t know what the answer is. How can we bring back quality, integrity, scholarship, and trust?

  4. #1 – As you can see vaccination isn’t perfect. It works because as it reduces the chance, less people have it, and there are less people to spread it. For example, let’s say it’s 50% effective, that means though you’re chances to get it are technically 50%, but the person who would give it to you also has his chances cut in half, so now your chances are only 25%. The person who would give it to that person, cuts it further in half, thus very much minimizing the chances.
    If a large amount of people don’t vaccinate, it ruins the whole idea, and everyone is back to a 50% chance. Thus we should care that everyone should vaccinate.

  5. Jbw:
    The reason it is such a concern is as the article states, no vaccine is 100% effective. I think the measles vaccine is 97% effective. When you are dealing with a virus as infectious and even potentially deadly as measles, it is imprudent to say the least to allow your children to possibly further spread the virus to the unvaccinated and even the minority of vaccinated who can still contract the virus. If everybody would vaccinate their children, the who knows, maybe the virus would’ve been eradicated by now.

    I cannot comprehend what reason someone would have for denying give their child such important vaccinations.

  6. If a parent doesn’t feel the need to vaccinate their child, fine. You don’t need a license to be a responsible parent. Start your own school and live in your own community. Your decision to be an irresponsible parent shouldn’t affect a child who medically cannot get the vaccine. By you not vaccinating your child you are putting those kids at risk.

  7. 1. The vaccine is around 90-95% effective. So it is obviously wise to get it and have a majority protection. Those who have had the shot and get measles will most likely have a more mild version of it.

    2. There are many people who cannot get the vaccine. For example infants under 12 months old, or children who have compromised immune systems due to cancer and other illness. Those fragile children are counting on the people around them being vaccinated. If they are not, they are very likely to catch it from them and that could be deadly for these weak bodies. This is called herd immunity and it is the reason why we went from 4 million cases of measles a year, to 0. (and now its back due to crazy, dillusional anti-vaccination people).

  8. 1) MMR is not given till one years for age leaving children under 1 vulnerable.

    2) There are people, both adults and children, whose immune system is weakened due to other diseases or necessary medication rendering them vulnerable despite vaccination – Think all those cancer patients for example whose devastating stories melt your heart…

    3) There are people who were never able to get the vaccine due to certain illnesses.

    4) No vaccine is 100% effective, there are some people that the vaccine “fails”.

    5) It doesn’t make you “invincible”. Getting a vaccine doesn’t mean that a person can load themselves up with the virus (or bacteria) that causes the disease with a guarantee they won’t contract the disease. It can eventually overcome their immune system.

    I think these should be enough reasons to make sure everyone around you are protected, both for your own safety and they well being of others who are vulnerable… I think of my family members who are battling cancer now…

  9. How about people who don’t immunize because of severe allergic reactions to previous shots requiring hospitalization. My neighbor had 3 children hospitalized due to the herb shot!!!!

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