WASHINGTON — As the number of measles cases rises, one doctor says vaccines are a parent’s obligation and the laws surrounding exemptions need tightening.
“Vaccine rates have been falling, sadly, in the United States. Autism rates have been climbing,” says Dr. Art Caplan, a medical ethicist at NYU’s Langone Medical Center.
Caplan says there’s no connection between autism and vaccinations and in many cases autism is diagnosed before children are old enough for vaccines. Additionally, worldwide cases of autism have increased despite the fall in vaccines. Parents can exempt their children from vaccines, but Caplan says the laws surrounding exemptions need strengthening.
In 2000, about 1 in 150 children was identified with a form of autism in the U.S. In 2010 it was 1 in 68 according to the Centers for Disease Control.
In addition to parents who want exemptions needing more education Caplan says, “You should be told if something goes wrong and your child infects, harms or kills another child, if you’ve said no, you’re gonna be liable for the costs that are incurred.”
He likens it to punishments for driving under the influence or leaving a gun unattended.
As the concern for measles becomes more pressing, Caplan says he’s concerned about an epidemic, pointing out past mumps outbreaks and that the meningitus vaccine isn’t “where it should be.”
“You vaccinate not only to protect your children and sometimes yourself, but it’s a community thing to do,it’s a neighborly thing to do.”
According to the CDC, the U.S. had 644 cases of measles from 27 states in 2014, the most since 2000 when the disease was considered eliminated in the U.S. By Aug. 24 of 2013, 159 cases were reported.
In contrast 102 cases were reported in 14 states, including one in the District, by the end of January 2015.
