Let’s not have a measles emergency

University Health and Bexar County Judge Urge Residents to Keep Immunization Rates High

Measles is on the rise globally. Public health emergencies are being declared in U.S. cities. One infected person traveling from New York to Michigan infected almost 40 people. Two recent cases have been confirmed in Bexar County.

The vaccine-preventable disease is seeing a resurgence in many parts of the country as a direct result of reduced vaccination rates. The single most effective way to protect our community from outbreaks like this is to vaccinate every eligible adult and child.

Bexar County is fortunate to have a high immunization rate, which has protected us so far from greater exposure from travelers who may have the disease. Leaders with University Health and Bexar County are urging the community to stay informed and maintain these high vaccination rates.

“The best protection against this disease is vaccination,” said Dr. Bryan Alsip, University Health executive vice president and chief medical officer. “This not only protects those who are immunized, but also vulnerable individuals who are not able to be vaccinated because of clinical contraindications.”

Measles is a highly contagious disease. Before vaccination was available, it killed 500 people a year in the United States.

“We urge everyone to protect themselves and the community, but most importantly, to protect our children in the fight against measles,” stated Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. “Vaccinating our children from this and other easily preventable diseases should be our number one priority to ensure a healthy future for them.”

If we keep up the good work on immunizing our children, we can avoid deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

WHAT: Keeping our community safe from measles outbreaks
WHEN: 4 p.m. Thursday, April 18
WHERE:
Robert B. Green Campus – Foundation Room
5th Floor, Clinical Pavilion
903 W. Martin Street

Links to state, national and global data:

• Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Vaccines for Children Program
• Annual reports of immunization status
• County-level data on conscientious exemptions
• Summary of National Immunization Survey data and links to the full data
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Recommended vaccines
• World Health Organization: Measles data for 2019

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