For many, measles is not benign

In her discussion of measles, a reader from Hoffman Estates demonstrates the frequent error of assuming that one's personal experience can be generalized to the population as a whole.

The letter stated "we didn't fear" measles and that "it meant we stayed home from school for a week." Many didn't have such a benign experience.

According to the CDC, prior to vaccine development, there were, on average, half a million patients afflicted with measles every year in the U.S., leading to 48,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths annually.

Fortunately, enough scientists and doctors "feared" the measles that a vaccine was developed, saving thousands of American children's lives, and millions world wide.

That is why it is disturbing to me, as a pediatrician, that so many now shun vaccines out of misplaced fear or ignorance. I guarantee that as the number of cases continue to rise, the deaths will come.

As has been wisely said before, those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Get your kids vaccinated.

John Perryman

St. Charles