"Ive never heard of anyone die of measles..."

This is the frequent argument I have listened to from anti-vax parents, determined to justify their polarised stance when I have tried, often in vain, to persuade them to have their child vaccinated against deadly infectious diseases. They know best. Their research, mainly internet based, has informed them of the ‘global conspiracy’ to harm their child through the vaccine programme or to make ‘Big Pharma’ more profits. There appears to be a personal desire to prove conventional medical wisdom wrong, to deny reality, and make bold small numbered observational or anecdotal statements—"I’ve never had any of my children vaccinated and they are ok".

In my paediatric career, I concede, I have not directly seen a child die from measles. However, I have witnessed the rise in measles cases and morbidity/mortality with increasing despair. Despite the availability of vaccines, I have personally witnessed the deaths of children with whooping cough, influenza, meningitis...

from ADC Online First https://ift.tt/3gdVpqm