Politics is overshadowing a child's well-being, and it's a dangerous game we're playing. For many years, North Dakotans have enjoyed a sense of security, largely free from the threat of measles. This peace of mind was thanks to incredible advancements in medical science, specifically the development of a safe and highly effective vaccine. We had, in essence, tamed one of the most contagious diseases known to humanity.
But here's where it gets controversial: that hard-won protection is slipping away. A growing number of individuals are choosing to believe misinformation from questionable sources – chiropractors, social media influencers, and even some religious figures – about vaccines. This has led to an alarming increase in children being exempted from mandatory vaccinations in North Dakota, thanks to lenient laws.
The numbers don't lie. Since the 2017-2018 school year, the number of vaccine exemptions has more than doubled, a staggering increase of over 107%. While medical exemptions have seen a slight dip, conscientious/religious exemptions have skyrocketed by nearly 119%. This shift has caused vaccination rates to plummet across the board. For the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the kindergarten vaccination rate in North Dakota has fallen from a robust 94.24% in 2017-2018 to 89.98% in the 2024-2025 school year.
This decline means that measles outbreaks, once relegated to history books or news from distant lands, are becoming an unwelcome annual occurrence in North Dakota. Our state's Department of Health and Human Services is now actively engaged in tracking outbreaks, a task that involves significant public resources for contact tracing and other protective measures. This shouldn't be necessary, but our current cultural and political climate has unfortunately made it so.
Now, consider the supposed controversy brewing in some right-wing circles: a parent is upset because health officials advised them to remove their unvaccinated child from a wrestling tournament due to a potential measles exposure. A gentleman named 'Stuart' called into a radio show to express his outrage, stating that a Health Department employee informed him his son had been exposed to measles at a recent wrestling event. Stuart mentioned his son has a religious exemption for vaccinations, which allows him to attend school. As a result, Stuart claims his son can't attend classes until March.
And this is the part most people miss: the real controversy isn't the state officials' actions; it's the political and religious movement actively discouraging people from using safe and effective vaccines. If Stuart's child had been vaccinated, this situation wouldn't exist. The very exemption forms parents sign acknowledge that their children may be excluded from school activities during outbreaks. The responsibility for this exclusion lies not with public officials, but with the families who have made the decision not to vaccinate.
While it's unfortunate Stuart's son can't participate in school activities, one has to ask: whose decision led to this? Perhaps instead of complaining on talk radio, Stuart and his family should consult with a medical professional and follow their guidance.
Let's not downplay the severity of measles. Dr. Paul Carson, an expert in infectious diseases and vaccination, describes measles as a "very dangerous virus." While mortality rates declined before the vaccine due to improved nutrition and later antibiotics, the virus still poses significant risks. Even with modern healthcare, good nutrition, and access to antibiotics, about 1 in 1,000 individuals can still die from measles.
But death isn't the only terrifying outcome. Dr. Carson highlights that about as frequently as death, measles can cause permanent disability and brain damage due to inflammation of the brain. A devastating complication, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), can occur in about 1 in 1,000 to 1,300 cases. This is a slow, progressive brain damage that leads to severe disability and eventual death over many years.
Furthermore, researchers have discovered that measles can have a lasting impact on our immune system, similar to HIV, though to a lesser extent. It attacks immune cells and can deplete our immune memory for two to three years, making individuals significantly more susceptible to other infectious diseases. Children who have had measles are more prone to suffering and dying from other infections in the years following their measles infection. This is a critical reason why we must avoid it.
While you or your child might recover from measles without long-term issues, the risks are far from negligible. When a safe and effective vaccine is readily available, a vaccine that has been administered to generations without significant issues, and when we know that high vaccination coverage can effectively prevent diseases like measles, why would we choose to gamble with our children's health?
Why would we take such a chance with the well-being of our future generations?
What are your thoughts on vaccine exemptions and their impact on public health? Do you believe personal beliefs should always take precedence over community health? Share your opinions in the comments below!
