More or Less: Behind the Stats Measles, Traitors and the cost of Brexit
Jan 31, 2024
Investigating the low measles vaccination rate in Birmingham, the economic costs of Brexit, falling crime rates, and the success rate of contestants in identifying traitors.
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Roald Dahl's Personal Measles Tragedy
- Roald Dahl wrote about his daughter Olivia's tragic death from measles following a sudden complication.
- She went from sleepy to unconscious and died within 12 hours despite initial mild symptoms.
Misleading Low Vaccination Statistic
- The 5% vaccination rate cited was from a tiny GP practice and not representative of Birmingham.
- Birmingham's two-dose MMR vaccine coverage by age five is about 75%, below the 95% herd immunity target.
Vaccination Decline Pre-Dates Pandemic
- The long-term decline in vaccination uptake began before the pandemic from around 2013-14.
- Complex causes include funding cuts and fewer health visitors, rather than primarily vaccine misinformation.