On the recordFebruary 10, 2015
Just yesterday I joined my public school system, my director of the city health department, and a number of health professionals to again remind parents and others around the Nation, and really to remind now, as I speak, my colleagues, vaccines save; and to be able to emphasize in the backdrop of this outbreak of measles, starting first with 7 States and 114 cases coming out of the case in Disney, and then now 17 States with 121 cases, to recognize the importance of research and responding to infectious disease. We understand measles. We understand the science of it. We know that we can protect people against it. We know when they should get a booster and what age a child should begin their first shots, certainly after 1 year old. We understand that an 8-month-old is in jeopardy if he or she is exposed, as is someone with low immunity. We also know that the measles vaccine has worked, and it has been effective. I want to thank the Centers for Disease Control. In a conference call, they indicated that they are going to make new efforts to work with various health facilities and health entities across the Nation to establish protocols to talk to parents about vaccines. We can save lives, and we must do so together. ____________________
