Measles May Weaken Immune System for Up to 3 Years
Findings highlight importance of measles vaccine for preventing damaging infection, doctors say
Another expert said he's seeing more cases of measles due to parents withholding their children from vaccination.
"These parents are misinformed about the adverse effects of the vaccine, and do not understand the devastating impact that measles can have on a child's long-term health," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville.
Mina agreed. "The underlying bad effects of measles are more than meets the eye," he said. "There's this misperception that measles is some benign infection. Our data really suggest that under the hood there's this much more devastating effect."
Dr. Bruce Hirsch, an infectious diseases specialist at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., said he's pleased that the study uncovered side effects from the measles vaccine that are actually positive and beneficial.
"With any treatment, we're worried about adverse side effects," Hirsch said. "For me as a treating doctor, to see there are unintended benefits is kind of gratifying."