Vaccines are not 100% effective, but if enough people have them, it makes it very difficult to impossible for diseases to spread. That's called "herd immunity."
But because of thoroughly debunked science and celebrity fearmongering, the herd immunity is beginning to break down here in the US, as more kids get "belief exemptions" from vaccines, and thus not only become potential carriers and victims themselves, but vectors for diseases to hit even their vaccinated friends.
"Stupid, stupid rat creatures …"
Reshared post from +Les Jenkins
Thanks Jenny McCarthy!
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Widespread vaccine exemptions are messing with herd immunity
NOAA
Vaccines have been one of the most important public health interventions ever developed. As a new study notes, past analyses have estimated that the childhood immunization schedule prevents 42,000 deaths and 20 million cases of disease—and that's only for the kids born in a single year. The estimated savings is currently at $14 billion a year.
But, despite the amazing benefits, immunization rates have been falling, driven by a fear that vac…
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I have always wondered what would happen/be said should a child, whose parent(s) did not vaccinate for whatever illogical/unscientific reason, die or suffer horribly.
The odds of death/severe damage are so minor contrasted with the lives saved or protected that it is inexcusable to avoid vaccination.
Do you (or Margie) happen to know if flu or pneumonia vaccines confer a herd immunity? When my endocrinologist said last December, “of course, you’ve had a flu shot already, right?”, I said, “No, I can’t remember the last time I had a flu, and I get one cold a year”. He allowed as how I might not need one, but said nothing of herd immunity.
Flu’s a funny one, since flu vaccines are for specific strains as predicted by epidemiologists at the beginning of each season. I would think, though, within that limit that they would provide a measure of herd immunity. If the four people you sit around are vaccinated, they are much less likely to catch the flu, meaning they are much less likely to pass it on to you even if you are not vaccinated.