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→Herd immunity and mandatory vaccination: About the San Diego outbreak
For example, in 1962 Japan instituted mandatory vaccination against influenza in school children. This continued until 1987 when the program was changed to optional; it was abandoned in 1994. Approximately 85 percent of children were estimated to have been vaccinated.<ref>{{hnb|Glezen|2004}}</ref> Several studies examined the mortality rates due to influenza during this period of time and revealed that the death rates due to influenza in all population groups was drastically decreased, including older adult populations. Since there was no increased rate of vaccination in these populations, the decreased mortality was caused by herd immunity effects of vaccinating so many children. <ref>http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Vaccine-Weekly/2001-04-11/200104113335VW.html Mandatory Vaccination of Japanese Schoolchildren Demonstrates "Herd Immunity" </ref> Many researchers have written that this and other evidence argues strongly for mandatory vaccination programs world wide as a means of controlling many diseases and preventing a [[pandemic]].<ref> http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1360502 Herd Immunity</ref>
For example, in 1962 Japan instituted mandatory vaccination against influenza in school children. This continued until 1987 when the program was changed to optional; it was abandoned in 1994. Approximately 85 percent of children were estimated to have been vaccinated.<ref>{{hnb|Glezen|2004}}</ref> Several studies examined the mortality rates due to influenza during this period of time and revealed that the death rates due to influenza in all population groups was drastically decreased, including older adult populations. Since there was no increased rate of vaccination in these populations, the decreased mortality was caused by herd immunity effects of vaccinating so many children. <ref>http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Vaccine-Weekly/2001-04-11/200104113335VW.html Mandatory Vaccination of Japanese Schoolchildren Demonstrates "Herd Immunity" </ref> Many researchers have written that this and other evidence argues strongly for mandatory vaccination programs world wide as a means of controlling many diseases and preventing a [[pandemic]].<ref> http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1360502 Herd Immunity</ref>
The USA has mandatory vaccination according to an official CDC schedule. Enforcement is left to the states. Most states have medical and religious exemptions. Some states make it very easy to opt out of vaccines, while other states strictly enforce compliance for school attendance. The difference in vaccination rates between these states is actually very slight, and not nearly enough to affect herd immunity.
The USA has mandatory vaccination according to an official CDC schedule. Enforcement is left to the states. Most states have medical and religious exemptions. Some states make it very easy to opt out of vaccines, while other states strictly enforce compliance for school attendance. The difference in vaccination rates between these states is actually very slight, and not nearly enough to affect herd immunity.
===Loss of Herd Immunity in the United States===
In February of 2008, an outbreak of [[measles]] occurred in [[San Diego]]. This outbreak was a result of the loss of herd immunity. Due to the relaxed statutes in [[California]], many children in the San Diego community went unvaccinated. One of these children, a boy, was able to contract measles in Sweden, return to the United States and cause the outbreak. During this time, dozens of children contracted the disease and many were hospitalized with fevers reaching 104<math>^\circ</math>. These hospitalizations included a 3 month old baby who nearly died of dehydration. The parents of the unvaccinated boy were unapologetic for nearly killing the other children, instead feeling their fears of vaccines were sufficient reason to endanger the lives of many. The fear of the [[MMR]] vaccine (a vaccine against [[measles]], [[mumps]] and [[rubella]]), which no longer has mercury in it, continues to this day, with the vaccine being wrongly accused of causing [[autism]].<ref> [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5708a3.htm]</ref>
== Adverse Reactions ==
== Adverse Reactions ==