Unvaccinated Kids Lead to Canada Prescription Drugs Consumption

The biggest U.S. epidemic of measles to happen in 15 years -- involving 214 kids so far -- is probably caused by travelers coming back from overseas and by several unvaccinated U.S. kids. Canadian prescription drugs for measles are evidently selling like hotcakes.

According to Dr. Andrew Pavia, professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah and spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), "The good news is that we are seeing introductions of measles that are being contained as small outbreaks." "What would happen in an area with a lot of vaccine refusers? Then you might see a much larger outbreak," he conveyed.  And, more visits to Canada drugstores.

"Unfortunately, we have experienced an increased incidence of measles this year," per Huong McLean, lead researcher and CDC epidemiologist. "Typically we see 60 to 70 cases a year, this year we have 214 as of Oct. 14." McLean said that, "the vaccination coverage in the United states remains relatively high, about 90 percent.  However, measles is very contagious and can spread quickly in communities where people aren't vaccinated."

"The vaccine is very safe and effective in preventing the disease," McLean highlighted.  If not vaccinated, to buy Zyrtec during its onset may give temporary relief but the patient will still need further prescriptions for the disease itself. "Health care providers together with public health and community leaders must address growing vaccine hesitancy to ensure high immunization rates in all communities," said Pam Gahr, a senior health department epidemiologist.

"Personal exemptions include philosophical or any other unspecified non-medical exemption," the researchers signified. "It is always a concern to have a large number of unvaccinated people in close proximity," per Dr. Karyn Leniek, deputy state epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health. "Our goal is to have as many people vaccinated as possible to protect those who cannot receive the vaccine and who are not fully immunized."

"This outbreak is being fed largely on unvaccinated or undervaccinated people, but we were concerned that a significant number had received the recommended two doses of MMR vaccine," as stated by Philippe Belanger, an epidemiologist at Ministere de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Quebec, Montreal.