A Shot in the Arm . . . Can Keep a Lot of Diseases in Check

[Guest guest]

" A Shot in the Arm . . . Can Keep a Lot of Diseases in Check "

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (04/12/04) P. 1; , Harry Jr.

Doctors and other health officials are opposing a pending bill in the

Missouri Senate that would expand the exemptions for childhood vaccinations

to include philosophical reasons, adding to the existing medical and

religious exemptions. State Sen. Loudon (R-Ballwin) is sponsoring the

bill, which he says should not affect the state's immunization rates based

on evidence from other states with similar exemptions. However, doctors and

researchers fear that any relaxation in mandatory immunization laws could

fuel a return of diseases that have been virtually wiped out in the United

States since the 1950s. Dr. Belshe, director of St. Louis University

Hospital's Center for Vaccine Development, predicts the state could see

epidemics in less than two years if the legislation is passed. Experts point

to the recent spike in whooping cough cases in some states where parents

have refused the vaccine for fear of adverse side effects. Doctors and

researchers maintain that vaccines are the safest and best way to prevent

many major diseases from spreading to vulnerable members of the population,

especially infants.

[Guest guest]

" A Shot in the Arm . . . Can Keep a Lot of Diseases in Check "

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (04/12/04) P. 1; , Harry Jr.

Doctors and other health officials are opposing a pending bill in the

Missouri Senate that would expand the exemptions for childhood vaccinations

to include philosophical reasons, adding to the existing medical and

religious exemptions. State Sen. Loudon (R-Ballwin) is sponsoring the

bill, which he says should not affect the state's immunization rates based

on evidence from other states with similar exemptions. However, doctors and

researchers fear that any relaxation in mandatory immunization laws could

fuel a return of diseases that have been virtually wiped out in the United

States since the 1950s. Dr. Belshe, director of St. Louis University

Hospital's Center for Vaccine Development, predicts the state could see

epidemics in less than two years if the legislation is passed. Experts point

to the recent spike in whooping cough cases in some states where parents

have refused the vaccine for fear of adverse side effects. Doctors and

researchers maintain that vaccines are the safest and best way to prevent

many major diseases from spreading to vulnerable members of the population,

especially infants.