This chapter traces the introduction of measles to the Faroe Islands in 1846, detailing the spread of the disease and advancements in understanding its characteristics and immunity. It explores the development of the measles vaccine, the ethical concerns surrounding its trials, and the impact of vaccination campaigns on diminishing measles cases in the US. The chapter also addresses the challenges of measles eradication, the influence of vaccine hesitancy, and the global resurgence of measles cases amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. decades ago, outbreaks do still happen here, and in other places it’s much more common. Before vaccines were widely available, it killed an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide each year.
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