Health officials stress vaccine benefits

Cumberland County health officials are making sure local residents know the importance of vaccinations after measles outbreaks in several other states this year.

Krystle Vinson, director of nursing at the county Department of Public Health, said the staff members talk about vaccines at community events and when parents bring their children to the department for treatment. The effort includes information about the risks and benefits, she said.

“Education is the first line of defense,” Vinson said.

More than 550 cases of measles have been confirmed in the United States this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is the second highest number of cases in the country since measles was eliminated in 2000, it said.

New York City declared a public health emergency this month over a measles outbreak and ordered mandatory vaccinations in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community where it was centered, according to the Associated Press.

There have been no reported cases of measles in North Carolina this year, according to Kelly Haight, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Vinson said the Cumberland County Health Department monitors the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System daily for all outbreaks of diseases that are preventable with vaccines.

“The Health Department recommends all available immunizations; however, parents may choose not to vaccinate for medical and religious reasons,” she said.

A doctor has to request a medical exemption, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. A written statement from a parent or guardian requesting the objection is required for a religious exemption.

Terry Schoenacker, who lives near Greensboro, responded to a request for information about those who decide not to vaccinate. He said he and his wife have decided not to vaccinate their son, who is about 9 months old.

“I do believe that there’s more risk in vaccines than reward,” he said. “I believe you can prove that risk, and it’s documented.”

Schoenacker said he and his wife don’t think that all vaccines are bad, but looked at research, expert opinions and documented information for each vaccine.

“We made sure to look at both sides of the debate,” he said. “We came to our own conclusion.”

Julee Ross, who lives in Utah, also responded to the request for information. She said she also bases her decision not to vaccinate her five children on research. There are no long term, true placebo, double blind safety studies on vaccines, she said.

“If vaccines are really safe, why don’t they do the studies,” she said.

Ross said the outbreaks have made her more sure of her position.

“I’ve done my research,” she said. “I know I can defend my position.”

The CDC recommends two doses of a vaccine meant to protect against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), according to its website. The vaccine is “very safe and effective,” and the shots are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles, it said.

Haight, the state DHHS spokeswoman, said the state tracks the number of measles cases each year.

“The MMR vaccine is highly effective and the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles, mumps and rubella,” she said. “If someone is planning to travel out of the country, they should check with their health care provider about vaccinations as well.”

Vinson said health workers review and update vaccine records for children who receive services at the Health Department. School nurses review vaccine records when children start school in kindergarten and when they are in 7th grade, she said. The records of students transferring into the school system also are reviewed, she said.

Students have 30 days from their first day of attendance to show they’ve received all immunizations appropriate for their age, according to Lindsay Whitley, a spokesman for Cumberland County Schools.

“If a measles outbreak is confirmed, we will immediately notify all medically and religious exempt students as well as pregnant and immune-compromised staff,” he said.

The school system would work closely with the Health Department, Whitley said.

“They will be the lead agency,” he said.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ website.

“If one person has it, nine out of 10 people close to that person who aren’t immune (protected) will also get measles,” it said. “And it can be dangerous — serious cases of measles can lead to brain damage and even death.”

Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3572.

Number of Measles Cases Reported Per Year

United States

2015 - 188

2016 - 86

2017 - 120

2018 - 372

2019 (through April 11) - 555

North Carolina

2015 - 0

2016 - 1

2017 - 0

2018 - 3

2019 (through April 16) - 0

Immunizations in Cumberland County Kindergartens in 2017-18

Total enrollment - 4,477

Percentage with a valid medical exemption - 0

Percentage with a valid religious exemption - .5

Percentage who had not obtained immunizations within 30 days of starting school - 8

Immunizations in North Carolina Kindergartens in 2017-18

Total enrollment - 120,792

Percentage with a valid medical exemption - .1

Percentage with a valid religious exemption - 1.2

Percentage who had not obtained immunizations within 30 days of starting school - 4.6

Sources - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Measles