The hype around measles is scaremongering, pure and simple. I have read in the media that New York City is banning unvaccinated people from public places. I don’t know if that’s true or not (I live in New Zealand so only know what I read in the media and we all know that’s not always the truth) but if it is, that’s incredibly scary and a violation of our human rights!!

Statistically, the death rate of measles is 1 or 2 every 1000 cases of measles. That’s a pretty low death rate.

Statistically, the rate of hospitalisation due to complications is 10%. 8% of these make a full recovery, 2% have permanent damage (deafness, most often).

And the cause of death isn’t ‘measles’ but a complication of it – and it’s the vulnerable (old, very young, ill, immune-compromised etc.) who are at risk. Normal, strong, healthy kids are most likely to recover from measles quickly and easily, with a lifelong immunity. This immunity also passes to newborn babies through breastmilk, providing protection for at least 7 months (if baby is fully breastfed) – the length of time that baby is most vulnerable to measles. The same immunity is not passed on if the mother has been vaccinated against it.
Isn’t that incredible? The way God has designed our bodies so we mums can give our precious babies immunity when they’re at their most vulnerable?