Measles, mumps, and pertussis are considered to be vaccine-preventable diseases, however, in the United States and Europe; resurgences have been recorded. Other bacterial infections such as tuberculosis are reappearing in multidrug-resistant forms.
According to Medical News Today, there are 26 infectious global diseases that are vaccine-preventable. Some of these diseases recently made a comeback. In the United States as well as in some countries, measles, mumps, pertussis, and tuberculosis are key infections that must be reported to local and national public health authorities.
Measles, one of the vaccine-preventable diseases was declared to be eliminated in the United States in 2000. However, in 2014, peaks of 667 cases were reported including outbreaks of 50 to 100 cases yearly. The reintroduction and re-establishment of measles in the US are caused by the parent's rejection of their children's immunization as stated by Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine and infectious diseases.
Mumps, on the other hand, is another vaccine-preventable disease since 1967 wherein cases dropped by 99 percent. Mumps is still endemic worldwide despite the emergence of the vaccine. In the United Sates, 5, 748 mumps cases were reported in 2016.
Pertussis, the third vaccine-preventable disease in the list has been one of the threatening infections of children in the Unites States before a vaccine came out. However, in 2012, cases of 48,277 were reported. Pertussis is also termed as a whooping cough wherein it is very recognizable in children but milder and more persistent in adults.
The most common cause of antibiotic resistance is multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. TB has resurfaced in the line due to the evolution of MDR strains of the causative agent "Mycobacterium tuberculosis". In 2013, cases of MDR-TB have increased at around 3 cases in 100,000 people.
On the other hand, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting MMR vaccine is much safer compared to getting measles, mumps, or rubella. Common side effect of MMR vaccine includes; sore arm from the shot, fever, mild rash, and temporary pain and stiffness in the joints.
Both CDC and Food and Drugs Administration continuously monitor the safety of vaccines after they will be available commercially. Vaccines provide safe, cost-effective, and prevention of illness, disability, and death from viral and bacterial diseases.
