Who Needs to Hide in the Herd for Protection Against Measles?
Skipping vaccines is free-riding on the protection of everyone else who is vaccinated.
When you hear that someone is hiding in the herd, it is typically a phrase being used pejoratively. They are likely talking about someone who has intentionally skipped or delayed getting vaccinated and is now avoiding getting sick because everyone around them is vaccinated and protected.
These are the free-riders who are hiding in the herd…
Who Needs to Hide in the Herd for Protection Against Measles?
There are others who hide in the herd too though.
This includes all the people who are too young to get a vaccine or complete a vaccine series.
And of course, it includes all of those with true medical exemptions to being vaccinated, those who literally can’t get a vaccine.
These children and adults who are either born with or later develop immune system problems are at great risk if they are around someone with measles and other vaccine preventable diseases.
While there is a risk that anyone might die if they get measles, if you have a compromised immune system, you will likely be lucky to survive your infection!
Whether they are being treated with chemotherapy for cancer, have a primary immunodeficiency, or are taking a medication like Remicade or methotrexate to treat their Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or plaque psoriasis, etc., they depend on herd immunity to stay safe.
Herd immunity that no longer exists when too many people skip or delay getting vaccinated.
“Once coverage is high enough, some rational individuals will always choose to be free riders, benefiting from the herd immunity provided by others.”
Game theory explains why reasonable parents make vaccine choices that fuel outbreaks
Herd immunity that we all lose once too many people decide to intentionally skip or delay getting a vaccine.
That’s right, since vaccines do not work perfectly, we all rely on herd immunity to stay healthy.
“And when rates drop – as they have, dramatically, over the past five years – disease models predict exactly what we’re seeing: the return of outbreaks.”
Game theory explains why reasonable parents make vaccine choices that fuel outbreaks
That loss of herd immunity is especially harmful to those who can’t protect themselves though!
And of course, it is also harmful to those who are intentionally unvaccinated…
These folks will be getting measles now, whether they like it or not.
They are getting measles now!
And it won’t be the easy ride that anti-vaccine influencers have been selling them.
At best, a typical case of measles, without complications, is a good week of a high fever – up to 104°F (40°C) to 105°F (40.6°C), deep cough, red, watery eyes that cause a dislike for bright light, sore throat, decreased appetite (often leads to dehydration), and irritability.
But then there are the risk of complications, like measles encephalitis, pneumonia, and death.
Risks that everyone could avoid if more people would just get vaccinated, and we could build back up to herd immunity levels of protection for measles and other vaccine preventable diseases.
More on Hiding in the Herd
Nearly a dozen Utah infants were exposed to measles, triggering a race for preventive treatment
Her daughter just finished cancer treatment. Now this Windsor, Ont., mom is worrying about measles
Game theory explains why reasonable parents make vaccine choices that fuel outbreaks
Is herd immunity a myth? A response to Russell Blaylock, Part 2
Stay informed to protect against contagious disease outbreaks
The Measles Outbreak And The Risk To Those On TNF Inhibitors
Candace Owens never met a conspiracy theory she dislikes but she got her start as a Covid denying antivaxxer. Apparently that has spread to all vaccines. Too bad she has children.