Editor’s Note: Since Dr. Offit taped this video, a child who tested positive for measles in the Texas outbreak has died.
In this video, Dr. Paul Offit talks about the current measles outbreak in western Texas and recounts other measles outbreaks, including one in Philadelphia in 1991 when he was on the frontlines caring for affected children. The common theme of the outbreaks he describes was pockets of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals in the communities where the outbreaks occurred. In each situation, many of the illnesses occurred in families who opted not to vaccinated due to their religious beliefs.
In describing his experience as a clinician on the frontlines of the Philadelphia measles outbreak, in which nine children died, he recalls a discussion with a chaplain and how her view of the situation aligned with his.
Simply put, “Let's protect our children,” says Dr. Offit.
For more information related to the topics in this video, see these resources:
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): The Diseases and Vaccines (webpage)
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella (infographic): PDF | PNG
- Measles: What You Should Know (Q&A): English | Spanish
- Rash Information, includes measles image and information (webpage)
- Measles infections, outbreaks & vaccines playlist (videos)
- Parents PACK Personal Stories – Measles (webpage)
Editor’s Note: Since Dr. Offit taped this video, a child who tested positive for measles in the Texas outbreak has died.
In this video, Dr. Paul Offit talks about the current measles outbreak in western Texas and recounts other measles outbreaks, including one in Philadelphia in 1991 when he was on the frontlines caring for affected children. The common theme of the outbreaks he describes was pockets of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals in the communities where the outbreaks occurred. In each situation, many of the illnesses occurred in families who opted not to vaccinated due to their religious beliefs.
In describing his experience as a clinician on the frontlines of the Philadelphia measles outbreak, in which nine children died, he recalls a discussion with a chaplain and how her view of the situation aligned with his.
Simply put, “Let's protect our children,” says Dr. Offit.
For more information related to the topics in this video, see these resources:
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): The Diseases and Vaccines (webpage)
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella (infographic): PDF | PNG
- Measles: What You Should Know (Q&A): English | Spanish
- Rash Information, includes measles image and information (webpage)
- Measles infections, outbreaks & vaccines playlist (videos)
- Parents PACK Personal Stories – Measles (webpage)