Democratic Forum hears value of vaccination for the public
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HURON – Diseases wiped out years ago by childhood immunizations could return if pockets of resistance to vaccinations keep escalating, a family nurse practitioner at Huron Regional Medical Center’s Physicians Clinic said.
“We could see them again if this continues to be a problem and public perception changes that vaccines are not good and vaccines are dangerous,” Kristin Pratt said.
South Dakota so far is not among them, but 26 states are now dealing with measles in ever-growing numbers. It’s sad that it’s a public health concern because it can be prevented through vaccinations, she said at the District 22 Democratic Forum.
Vaccines are one of the most successful and cost-effective investments, she said.
For children born in 1994, vaccines they were given through 2018 will prevent 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations and 936,000 early deaths over the course of their lifetime, she said, quoting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It represents a net savings of $406 billion in direct costs and $1.9 trillion in total society costs, Pratt said.
She said she hadn’t realized the economic impact of vaccines. “I was honestly surprised by that,” she said.
Vaccines have wiped out diseases in the United States that are still prevalent on other countries, she said.
“Everything has been tested and proven to be safe and effective,” Pratt said.