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OPINION: MEASLES IS BACK. COLORADANS SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

 * David M. Higgins, Joshua T.B. Williams and Sean T. O’Leary
 * PUBLISHED: December 27, 2023 at 11:23 a.m. | UPDATED: December 27, 2023 at
   11:26 a.m.
 * Categories: Opinion, Opinion Columnists

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In this 2022 file photo Lylah Salazar gets vaccinated for Covid-19 by medical
assistant Angela Chavez-Ruiz, left, on the lap of her mother Getzy Martinez, 24,
at Clayton Early Learning Center campus in Denver, Colorado. Denver Health, in
partnership with Clayton Early Learning Center, and Health and Human services
hosted a free clinic for immunization month with routine immunizations including
for measles available for both children and adults. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The
Denver Post)

It was only a matter of time. As pediatricians, we are concerned by the first
measles case in Colorado since 2019. We have anxiously watched for three years
as measles vaccination rates have fallen in our state while cases have risen
around the world.

Colorado was spared in 2019 during our nation’s largest measles outbreak in 30
years. However, 1 in 8 Coloradan kindergarteners are not fully
vaccinated against measles today, and our state is overdue for an outbreak.

Measles is extremely dangerous.



Prior to safe and effective vaccines, measles was responsible for an estimated
48,000 hospitalizations, 1,000 cases of encephalitis (swelling of the brain),
and 500 deaths every year in the United States.

Measles is also highly infectious. After a contagious person leaves a room, the
measles virus can float in the air and infect others for up to 2 hours.

According to reports, the teenager who contracted measles spent significant time
at DIA during a busy holiday travel season and visited several counties before
seeking medical care. What if those activities included grocery shopping,
cheering at a Nuggets game, Holiday shopping at crammed outlet malls, or testing
at school during finals week?




Time will tell if this case leads to a larger outbreak – the incubation period
for measles is typically 8-12 days, and the rash often doesn’t appear until
several days into the illness course.

Why do we put our children and communities at risk when a safe and effective
alternative is readily available?



Measles vaccines have been around for over 60 years and 97% of children who
receive two vaccine doses are considered protected for life.



Children receive measles and other essential routine vaccines before starting
kindergarten. In so doing, they not only protect themselves, but they also
prevent the spread of disease to children too young to get measles vaccines
(infants under age 1 year), people with cancer or weakened immune systems, and
those joining our state from areas of the world with disrupted access to routine
preventive healthcare.

Historically, most parents have fully vaccinated their kindergarteners in a
timely fashion. However, recent vaccination trends in Colorado paint a
concerning picture. Today, just four states have worse measles vaccine coverage
rates for kindergarteners than Colorado, which sits at 87%. To prevent outbreaks
of measles, over 95% of people in our communities need to have protection.

We must do better.



First, we must improve access to childhood vaccines. Many parents want their
children vaccinated but face substantial barriers to vaccination. These barriers
disproportionately fall on the most vulnerable in our state. Recent data from
the CDC show severe disparities in vaccine access for children in marginalized
racial and ethnic groups, families experiencing poverty, those without private
health insurance, and children living in rural areas.

Next, policymakers and child vaccination advocates must continue their
legislative efforts. We need to bolster resources, support for, and availability
of the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program, which provides no-cost vaccines to
children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.

Accessibility of vaccination sites and provider visits must grow and be
supported by adequate provider reimbursement. Established school vaccine
requirements need to be tightened and enforced. Leaders in pediatric and public
health need to partner with community leaders to build and maintain vaccine
confidence and trust.



To parents and the public, we must do a better job communicating the benefits
and value of vaccines. The evidence is clear: the benefits of vaccines greatly
outweigh potential risks. Unfortunately, the proliferation of misinformation in
recent years has left some parents wondering if vaccines are safe. It is okay to
have questions; pediatricians welcome honest conversations with their patients
and families. We want to help you make informed decisions for yourselves and
your children.

The return of measles in our state should concern everyone. Now is the time to
reaffirm our commitment to our fellow Coloradans and to raise our lagging
vaccination rates.


RELATED ARTICLES

 * Opinion Columnists |
   Colorado reports first measles case in 4 years in Denver airport traveler

David M. Higgins, MD, MPH, MS, is a Colorado-raised general academic
pediatrician and preventive medicine specialist who studies vaccine delivery and
vaccine hesitancy. He has two children who are fully vaccinated. Joshua T.B.
Williams, MD is a general academic pediatrician who studies vaccine safety,
vaccine hesitancy, and vaccination equity. He has three children who are all
fully vaccinated. Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH, is a general academic pediatrician
and pediatric infectious disease specialist who studies vaccine delivery and
vaccine hesitancy. He has two children who are fully vaccinated.



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