Measles In The Magic Kingdom Case Study

Infected or Protected?

Measles in the Magic Kingdom Over the last eight years, following Jenny McCarthy’s claim that vaccinations trigger Autism in children, the number of parents requesting exemptions for their children has increased by twenty percent (“Parents Throw Measles Parties”). The recent outbreak of the measles in one of the largest amusement parks in the country, Disneyland, which receives more than forty thousand visitors daily placed approximately ten percent of unvaccinated travelers within the “magic kingdom” at-risk. While a small number of these individuals are unable to receive the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine due to medical issues such as autoimmune diseases, severe allergies and or age limitations, the majority

In addition, campaigns such as Not Vaccinated? No Kisses., The Power to Stop the Flue Begins with You and Vaxforteens target the reasons for these exemptions including vaccine-phobias of possible side effects and the lack of education about potential consequences such as encephalitis, deadly childhood diseases and additional medical complications, attempting to persuade individuals of the risk of not vaccinating. However, these individuals are blatantly ignoring scientific data of the efficiency of the MMR vaccine and are instead engaging in primitive behaviors that were historically utilized when preventive measures were still under development. For instance, several mothers in the Anaheim area have reportedly been hosting measles parties, purposely infecting their children to protect them as was done with the initial chicken pox outbreaks throughout the late nineteenth century. This raises ethical concerns as withholding vaccinations not only leaves their own children susceptible to a variety of diseases such as measles, but these actions have larger societal implications. By supporting the anti-vaccination choice, these families are endangering the lives of infants, immunocompromised individuals and the

Moreover, every year the efforts to vaccinate saves 3 million lives, that’s like saving every kid under five years of age in California”(“Parents Throw Measles Parties”), a small number in relativity but if it were your child it would be more than enough incentive to discredit anti-vaccination and promote change. While there are religious beliefs that prohibited this preventive measure and should be respected, healthcare workers and public policy need to require that evidence for the exemption with a notarized affidavit be supplied to verify and establish this as a viable exclusion, however, transitioning to Mississippi’s policy of medical reasons as the only exemption to assure herd immunity is the ideal future objective as it would eliminate new outbreaks and childhood deaths. A child’s life is precious and Disneyland is an unforgettably magical experience filled with happiness and joys. In a place where dreams come true; there are no measles too. Love them. Protect Them. Immunize Them. So every day is