The current measles outbreak, which began last December in Disney World and has since led to more than 150 cases in 17 states, is a stark reminder that diseases once declared eliminated can, without vigilance, return easily and spread quickly.

Watch Physician Focus on the Public Channel
(Comcast 8/Verizon 39)
Monday  & Tuesday, 6:30pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 1:30am, 10:30am

To reinforce public awareness about the benefits of vaccines and immunization, the March episode of Physician Focusexamines the current outbreak and the role of vaccination in personal and public health. Among the topics of discussion are how once-eradicated diseases like measles can return and spread, just how dangerous childhood diseases can be and why people tend to discount their severity, the risks of not getting vaccinated, how herd immunity to protect the public’s health is determined, how misinformation about medicines can spread quickly, how physicians may deal with patients and their parents who have questions or doubts about vaccines, and the importance of immunization for adults as well as children.

Guests:
George Abraham, M.D., M.P.H., Board-certified internist and infectious disease specialist; Associate Chief of Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester; Professor of Medicine, UMass Medical School; Governor, Massachusetts Chapter, American College of Physicians

Sean Palfrey, M.D., Board-certified pediatrician, Boston Medical Center; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, Boston University School of Medicine; Founder and Director, Immunization Initiative of the Massachusetts Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

Host:
Bruce Karlin, M.D., Primary Care Physician, Worcester, Mass.; Utilization Management Medical Director, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Mass.