We have been talking a lot in recent days about childhood vaccination and the importance of vaccinating children, not only for their own protection but as an act of responsibility towards other children who, even if they were vaccinated, could be affected, or babies that because still too young to receive the vaccine, they could also get sick.
Maybe one does not see it as clear until he finds cases as shocking as that of this family. When a child becomes ill, there are many others who may be in danger, such as the eldest daughter of Dr. Tim Jacks, who has cancer. Tim has decided to write a letter to the father whose unvaccinated son exposed his family to the measles virus. It is not lost.
Right now, a series of strong feelings overwhelm me. Towards my family, I feel overprotective like a bear dad. Towards you, a father who does not vaccinate his children, I feel great anger and frustration at the alternatives he has chosen.
Today everyone will have heard of the measles outbreak originated in Disneyland. Or more exactly, originated by an unvaccinated person who infected others who were also on vacation. I will not discuss the anti-vaccination movement, the thiomersal controversy (which is no longer used in vaccines for children), or the myth that the MMR vaccine produces autism (there are changes in the brain chemistry of an autistic before of birth).
Let's focus on measles for a few moments. It was once an epidemic in the United States. Today, it is considered “eradicated” from this nation (it does not continue to circulate among the population, it is only spread through trips outside the country). Measles virus is highly contagious,> 90% infectious, and can survive in the air of a room and infect someone two hours later. Another curious fact is that measles is transmissible before being diagnosed, four days before the characteristic rash appears. “Measles itself is very unpleasant, but complications are very dangerous. One in 1000 people with measles will develop an inflammation of the brain, and one in 1000 will die. ” That sounds fun. It's okay. I will calm down.
I guess you love both your son and I love mine. I guess you are trying to make the best decisions regarding your care. But please realize that your child does not live in a bubble. When your child gets sick, other children are exposed. My children. Why would you knowingly expose someone to your sick child, without vaccinating, after having recently visited Disneyland? That was a really stupid play.
Why does this affect me and mine? Why is my family in danger if we are vaccinated? I'm glad you asked.
With regard to measles virus, there are four types of people. Of which, all are represented in my family. First, the MMR vaccine gives immunity to almost everyone who receives it. Two doses give protection that can be confirmed with a blood test. My wife is in that group.
Second, about 3% of children who have been vaccinated with all their doses do not develop a lasting immune response. They have low levels of blood titres and are not protected against measles. If they are exposed, this group is likely to contract the disease. I am part of that group and, fortunately, I was not exposed.
Third, the unvaccinated. My son, Eli, is 10 months old. It is too small to be vaccinated with the MMR, therefore it has no protection. Either because their parents refused or because they are very young, exposed children who have not been vaccinated have a 90% chance of getting measles.
Fourth, there are children like my Maggie. These are children that cannot be vaccinated. Children suffering from cancer. Children who have immunodeficiency. Children who are truly allergic to a vaccine or a part of the vaccine; as, egg anaphylaxis. These children remain at risk. They cannot be protected, unless we vaccinate those around them.
Maggie was diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), blood cancer, last August. You have had multiple chemotherapies, lumbar punctures and surgery to implant a catheter. She has been admitted six times since her diagnosis and has spent almost three weeks at the Phoenix Children's Hospital, including Halloween and the New Year. She has been completely immunized, but we can't immunize her anymore until her treatment ends. Your treatment will end, God willing, just after your fifth birthday, in January 2017.
Behold, like the measles outbreak, it has further complicated our situation.
It was a Wednesday. Maggie had just been discharged from the Phoenix Children's Hospital after she finished her last chemotherapy session. That afternoon she went to the PCH East Valley special care clinic to withdraw some laboratory tests. Everything was in order and we felt confident ... until Sunday afternoon we received the call. That Wednesday afternoon, Anna, Maggie and Eli had been exposed to the measles virus by another patient. Our two children did not have the immunity to defend themselves against measles. The only protection available were multiple injections of rubella immunoglobulin (measles antibodies). There were three injections for Maggie and two injections for Eli. They screamed, but at least now they have temporary protection against measles. We are praying to be enough.
Eli and Maggie were exposed to the virus on January 21. Despite the treatment they were given, they can show signs of measles at any time from today until February 11 (21 days after exposure). After a new blood test, the results showed that my wife and I are immune to measles, but our children will remain in isolation until February 11.
Father who decided not to vaccinate his son, thank you for ruining our three weeks of "vacation" from chemotherapy. Instead of a break, we will observe if measles symptoms appear and pray that they do not have a fever, or if not, return to the hospital. Thank you for making us cancel our trip to the snow this year. Maggie really wanted to see the snow, but we won't risk exposing anyone else. That said, thanks for exposing 195 children to this disease. Your bad decisions do not only affect your child. They also affect my family and many like us. Please excuse my sarcasm. I am angry and a little scared. Daddy Bear.
