Does Vaccine Refusal Play a Role in Disease Outbreaks?

Nonmedical vaccine exemptions contributed to outbreaks of measles and, in some populations, outbreaks of pertussis.

Recent studies have documented an increasing rate of nonmedical exemptions from school immunization requirements, and such vaccine refusal was linked to a large measles outbreak in California in 2014 (NEJM JW Infect Dis Aug 2015 and Pediatrics 2015; 136:80).

To better determine the potential relationship between vaccine refusal and disease outbreaks, investigators undertook a systematic review of all published U.S.-based measles and pertussis outbreaks that have occurred since measles was declared eliminated in the United States (January 1, 2000) and pertussis incidence was at its nadir (January 1, 1977).

In 18 reports of measles outbreaks, immunization data were available for 970 cases. Of the 574 (59%) affected individuals who were unvaccin…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Does Vaccine Refusal Play a Role in Disease Outbreaks?

Topics

Reviewing Author