Author: Will Humble

Why Musk cuts could affect AZ public health | 12news.com

4 Arizona counties have lower vaccination rates than Texas measles epicenter

This Arizona health expert weighs in on the measles outbreak — and how contagious it is

Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough and runny nose

Here’s why Arizona is at high risk for a measles outbreak

Map: Where Medicaid Enrollment in the U.S. Is the Highest – The New York Times

Measles outbreaks are like wildfires: both get out of control fast if they’re not immediately detected and managed. The surge of measles cases across nine counties in Texas (originating from a single first case in a community with low vaccination rates) highlights the critical need for immediate detection of early case(s) and immediate and effective interventions.

Public health has several tools that can help stop a measles outbreak once – but only if they all work in tandem and happen fast.  The core control measures are:

1. Robust Surveillance and Early Detection: The first case of measles needs to be found right away. Having relationships with front line clinicians and laboratories are key to finding that critical first case. Healthcare providers need to recognize early symptoms and quickly report suspected cases to the county health department.
2. Immediate Contact Tracing: Once a case is confirmed, county epidemiologists need to quickly do contact tracing to find everyone who may have been exposed – with a focus on unvaccinated contacts – especially in school settings. Having immediate access to the vaccination status of the kids in a school or preschool is key to knowing which contacts are unvaccinated.
3. Exclusion of Unvaccinated Contacts: County health officers need to exclude unvaccinated student contacts from in-person schooling for two incubation periods (approximately 42 days) to curb potential spread within schools and day cares.  County staff also need to ensure good isolation of exposed unvaccinated contacts from unvaccinated people (including family members). As kids under 1 year old are all unvaccinated – health officials need ensure infants don’t have contact with unvaccinated contacts.
4. Accelerated Vaccination Campaigns: Counties also need to deploy immunization teams to administer the MMR vaccine to unvaccinated contacts (and hopefully newly motivated unvaccinated community members).

AzDHS Measles Control Measures

What Happens if Measles Gets into Arizona Schools or Childcare?

Many areas of Arizona are at risk of a measles epidemic running out of control because of our poor vaccination rates.

New CDC Report: Arizona Has Among the Lowest Childhood Immunization Rates in the U.S.

During the 2023-24 school year, only two counties—Santa Cruz and Yuma— had the 95% herd immunity threshold necessary to prevent measles outbreaks. The increasing number of personal belief exemptions (and the paucity of places where families can get their kids vaccinated) have significantly reduced vaccination rates, leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks like the one in Texas.

Here’s why Arizona is at high risk for a measles outbreak

County health departments need to treat measles outbreaks with the urgency of a wildfire. Immediate detection, fast & thorough contact tracing, strategic exclusion policies, and proactive vaccination efforts are key to preventing small sparks from igniting into an uncontrollable epidemic.

Of course- public health is really all about prevention – and the most effective intervention is to have and keep high childhood immunization rates – something that will be more and more difficult in the coming years given the new leadership at HHS.

RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary? Why It Could Mean the End of Evidence-Based Public Health Policy

Just days into his tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is already backtracking on ‘assurance’ he gave during his Senate confirmation.

Despite pledging to uphold the integrity of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and not to interfere with childhood immunizations, Kennedy has already taken action to destabilize ACIP and evidence-based vaccine policy.

The ACIP, a panel of independent experts, is instrumental in developing vaccine recommendations in the US. These guidelines inform healthcare providers and influence insurance coverage, as most health plans must cover vaccines recommended by the ACIP. Those that aren’t on the schedule are generally not covered.

On his first day in office, Kennedy postponed a scheduled ACIP meeting set for late February. This meeting was slated to discuss critical updates on vaccines, including Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine that prevents cervical cancer.

Kennedy has a history of opposing Gardasil, having represented individuals claiming injury from the vaccine and alleging that its manufacturer, Merck, overstated HPV risks to promote mass vaccinations.

Beyond canceling the meeting, reports indicate that Kennedy plans to overhaul the ACIP by removing members he perceives as having conflicts of interest.

RFK Jr. prepares shake-up of vaccine advisers – POLITICO

The ACIP’s recommendations are foundational to public health, guiding vaccine schedules that have significantly reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases. Insurance coverage for vaccines is often contingent upon these recommendations, meaning alterations could lead to decreased coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs for patients

During his confirmation, Kennedy assured senators that he would respect scientific analyses and uphold existing immunization practices. His recent actions, however, indicate a (predictable) departure from these commitments.

As these developments unfold, we will continue to raise the alarm and do what we can to educate the public about the real consequences of Mr. Kennedy’s decisions and actions.

I have no delusions that we will get him to change his mind about anything – but it will at least feel good to tell the public the truth in our small little way.