Measles- Discourse Analysis

By Jake Nicholson

Student

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can result in death if not approached with caution. However, as prevalence of measles has gone down, so has public knowledge about the topic. This has led to a belief that the measles is not a true threat, and as a result many do not vaccinate themselves or their children. A better informed public is a necessity to keep measles from taking more lives and flourishing in the United States once more. 

In the article “Measles in the United States during the Postelimination Era” by Amy Parker Fiebelkorn et al, the authors provide evidence to show that two of the main challenges to maintaining elimination status in the United States are frequent international travel and “personal belief exemptors,” those who remain unvaccinated because of personal or parental beliefs. They explain that even though measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000, there were still 557 confirmed cases in the U.S. between 2001 and 2008. They also provide statistics to show how many people died and developed permanent brain damage from measles before vaccinations became common, and that measles is still a very serious public health threat. 

The Washington Post's Editorial Board criticizes those who advocate not being vaccinated in their article "The Measles Vaccine is a Shot of Common Sense." They argue that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine has proven itself effective, and that with all the other serious public health threats today, it doesn't make sense to create a new one out of a disease that was already eliminated. 

The decrease in the number of measles cases in the past 15 years has led to a change in the public's attitudes and beliefs regarding the disease. Fiebelkorn et al summarizes the article “Religious and Philosophical Exemptions from Vaccination Requirements and Lessons Learned from Conscientious Objectors from Conscription” by Daniel Salmon and Andrew Siegel, explaining this shift: “As the incidence of a vaccine-preventable disease like measles decreases, the public perception tends to shift to a belief that the severity of the disease and susceptibility to the virus have also decreased. Salmon et al found that the most common reason that parents claimed vaccine exemptions was fear that the vaccine might cause harm" (Fiebelkorn 1525). 

Also contributing to this change in attitudes regarding measles are the few misinformed healthcare professionals that spread false information and condemn vaccinations, the most famous of which is Dr. Jack Wolfson. These doctors have been shunned by the overwhelming majority of the medical community. Some physicians are even advocating that medical licenses be revoked, claiming that these practices cause harm, which goes against the purpose of doctors. Despite this, many patients still seek the medical advice of these doctors simply because their beliefs align with their own. 

Infants are the age group that are at the most risk of contracting the measles virus. This fact alone is enough to make people very passionate about this discourse. Most parents are willing to fight tooth and nail to protect their children. This creates a fierce debate between these parents and personal belief exemptors who claim it's their right to not vaccinate their children. The well-being of kids inevitably becomes a large part of any discourse they are involved in. 

Being vaccinated does not ensure 100% immunity. A small number of vaccinated people still contract the measles virus, so when others refuse to vaccinate and spread the disease, it doesn't only affect them. With frequent international travel, the measles virus is constantly being brought into the United States. These factors combined prevent measles from being eradicated completely in the United States. 

The measles virus is a deadly disease that even today claims lives. In order to keep it at bay, the public needs to be informed about the measles and its dangers. Public awareness must be raised in order to prevent measles from becoming prevalent in the United States again.