Measles -- It's Back -- Vaccination? Up To Parents -- Florida SG -- February 26, 2024

Locator: 46911PH. 

Back on November 15, 2024, I posted a nice story regarding measles. I learned a lot posting that note.

Measles the most infectious pathogenic human virus -- and except for chickenpox, nothing else is even close.

The post:

• basic reproduction number for measles:

The basic reproduction number, R nought (R0), is defined as the average number of secondary cases of an infectious disease arising from a typical case in a totally susceptible population, and can be estimated in populations if pre-existing immunity can be accounted for in the calculation. 

R0 determines the herd immunity threshold and therefore the immunisation coverage required to achieve elimination of an infectious disease. 

As R0 increases, higher immunisation coverage is required to achieve herd immunity. In July, 2010, a panel of experts convened by WHO concluded that measles can and should be eradicated. Despite the existence of an effective vaccine, regions have had varying success in measles control, in part because measles is one of the most contagious infections. 

For measles, R0 is often cited to be 12–18, which means that each person with measles would, on average, infect 12–18 other people in a totally susceptible population ... We calculated median measles R0 values stratified by key covariates. We found that R0 estimates vary more than the often cited range of 12–18. 

R0, various sources, generally accepted:

• measles: 12 - 18
• chickenpox: 10 - 12
• seasonal flu (influenza, e.g., H1N1): 2 - 3
• Ebola: 1.7 - 2.0
• Chinese flu: 1.2

Apparently the Florida SG didn't get the memo. He will let parents decide. Public Health no longer matters.

In the big scheme of things, measles is so much worse than Covid, so much worse, on so many levels.

The Brits are well aware.

My hunch: the "spare" previously known as Prince Harry has his kids vaccinated. But then, maybe not. 

Florida SG: nominee for the 2024 Geico Rock Award.