A recent article in Vox summarized U.S. public health data on the spectacular annual decline of serious and often-fatal diseases after the introduction of vaccines in the early- to mid-1900s. (“The stunning success of vaccines in America, in one chart,” Vox, Nov. 19.)
Annual measles cases pre-vaccine: 530,000; annual measles cases post-vaccine: 13.
Annual diphtheria cases pre-vaccine: 200,000; annual diphtheria cases post-vaccine: 0.
Annual rubella cases pre-vaccine: 48,000; annual rubella cases post-vaccine: 6.
Annual smallpox cases pre-vaccine: 29,000; annual smallpox cases post-vaccine: 0.
Annual polio cases pre-vaccine: 16,000; annual polio cases post-vaccine: 0.
Smallpox has a 30% fatality rate. Thousands died of measles every year. Diphtheria killed 1,800 people annually.
During the past many decades vaccines have been required in schools, and that is why the diseases have disappeared.
President-elect Trump has said he will end federal funding of schools that make vaccines mandatory. Big mistake Mr. president-elect.
Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross
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