The nation’s recent measles outbreak is a bellwether — the canary in the coal mine. It portends potential further recurrences of vaccine-preventable diseases.

With declining vaccination rates from growing vaccine opposition, hesitancy and complacency, it makes sense that the measles outbreak would be the first to emerge; measles is one of the most contagious viruses known.

It takes a 95% vaccination rate to maintain herd immunity. Now, many communities and even whole states are below that threshold. Measles is also surging globally.

Herd immunity eliminates the risk of sustained transmission needed for infectious disease outbreaks. It’s also essential to protect infants too young to be immunized, those with contraindications to vaccination, the immuno- compromised and the elderly.

Vacc

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