Avril Nimblett-Clarke is an assistant professor and academic coordinator in the PA program at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla. The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
JAAPA. 2021 Feb 1;34(2):36-40. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000731512.09853.af.
Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable illness. Since 2014, a resurging trend has been noted in the incidence of measles, an illness once eliminated. Low vaccination rates contribute to its resurgence. The most compelling reason for low vaccination rates is the availability and prevalence of nonmedical exemptions (NME), which are primarily based on religious and philosophical beliefs. This article reviews the effect of NMEs in measles resurgence and the moral and legal implications of these exemptions. Clinicians should be aware of this trend and be ready to educate and evaluate the validity of NME requests.
麻疹(风疹)是一种高度传染性、可通过疫苗预防的疾病。自 2014 年以来,曾经被消灭的麻疹发病率出现了反弹趋势。麻疹发病率的反弹与疫苗接种率低有关。疫苗接种率低的最主要原因是存在非医学豁免(NME),这些豁免主要基于宗教和哲学信仰。本文回顾了 NME 对麻疹发病率反弹的影响,以及这些豁免的道德和法律影响。临床医生应该意识到这一趋势,并随时准备教育和评估 NME 请求的有效性。