-Caveat Lector- ----- Original Message ----- From: Science-Week <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 6:45 AM Subject: SW BULLETIN July 14, 1999 HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF EXEMPTIONS FROM IMMUNIZATION LAWS Immunizations are among the most cost-effective and successful public health interventions, and all jurisdictions in the US have introduced and actively enforce laws that require proof of immunization for school entrance. However, state immunization laws permit certain exemptions, e.g., for individuals who are immunocompromised, have allergic reactions to vaccine constituents, or have moderate or severe illness. Also, 48 states permit religious exemptions, and 15 states allow philosophical or personal exemptions, with such exemptions defined differently by each state. D.A. Salmon et al (Centers for Disease Control, US) now report a study to quantify the risk of contracting measles among individuals claiming religious and/or philosophical exemptions from immunization (exemptors) compared with vaccinated persons, and to examine the risk that exemptors pose to the nonexempt population. The authors report that on average, exemptors were 35 times more likely to contract measles than were vaccinated persons. Depending on assumptions concerning the degree of mixing between exemptors and non-exemptors, the incidence of measles infection in non-exempt individuals would increase by 5.5 percent to 30.8 percent. The authors suggest their data indicate the need for systematic review of vaccine- preventable incidents to examine the effect of exemptors, and the need for increased surveillance of the number of exemptors and cases among them, and the need for research to determine the reasons why individuals claim exemptions. (J. Amer. Med. Assoc. 7 Jul 99) Are religious exemptions to immunization a good way to reduce the populations of religious groups? Do True Believers deserve to be left on their own to sicken and die? Do they have the right to infect the rest of us? What infectious diseases wouldn't you mind catching from your True Believer neighbors? Why? --Ric DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
