Written by Lynn Spiro for The Oakland Press
As a mom of two kids under the age of 4, there’s a lot to worry about every day.
I worry about my kids eating enough fruits and vegetables. I worry about their nap schedules. I worry about their overall well-being.
I never thought I’d have to worry about the measles. But as Oakland County and other areas of Michigan are battling the state’s worst measles outbreak in decades, I worry about protecting my 6-month-old baby from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases that are especially dangerous for infants who are too young to be fully immunized.
This measles outbreak has hit home how much my children depend on the people around them to provide a circle of protection through immunization. My husband and I are fully vaccinated, and my 3-year-old daughter received her first dose of the MMR vaccine. She won’t receive her second dose until she turns 4. My infant son can’t receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine until he is 12 months old. Until then, he is depending on the greater community—our extended family, our friends, our neighbors—to be vaccinated as well.
The vaccinated community helps to protect those who are not vaccinated, a concept known as “herd immunity” or “community immunity.” When 90 to 95 percent of a community is protected, it is nearly impossible for a vaccine-preventable disease to spread. Unfortunately, Oakland County has one of the highest vaccine waiver rates in state, meaning many kids are not up to date on the recommended vaccinations. This is how diseases can end up spreading—and fast.
Over the years I have had the honor and privilege to work with multitudes of children and families in pediatric hospitals around the world. I have watched children suffer, and die from vaccine preventable diseases. Parents, please keep your families up to date on vaccines. Your decision not only protects your own children, but the immunocompromised, elderly, and pregnant women as well.
As parents, we’re doing the best we can, and we all just want to protect our kids. Having questions about vaccinations is okay—it means you care about your child’s health! But make sure you do your due diligence when looking for answers. Talk with your pediatrician and start with credible sources, like IVaccinate.org, which provides Michigan-specific resources and information sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Lynn Spiro is a Certified Child Life Specialist with a master’s degree in child development. She lives in Oakland County with her husband and two children.
Read the full article here.