Getting vaccinated against diseases unheard of at home was something people in 'first world' countries did before travelling to faraway places, especially the tropics. The ability to eradicate illnesses like rubella, measles and polio was long considered a marker of development. But, of late, rich Indians travelling to the US are being advised to ensure they're up to date on their vaccinations for 'childhood' diseases.
There's good reason to follow this advisory. The number of reported measles cases in the US has hit a 33-year high, with over 1,300 confirmed infections as of July. The data, released by Johns Hopkins University, marks a milestone in the ongoing outbreak of a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease once declared eliminated in the US. 92% cases were people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to CDC. Resurgence of these diseases is due to a drop in vaccination rates in the US. While the decline began before the pandemic, Covid disruptions to healthcare acted as a booster shot for resurgence. Many parents chose not to vaccinate their children because they 'didn't see these diseases', while vaccine fatigue, misinformation and growing distrust played their part. US secretary of health Robert F Kennedy Jr previously spread misinformation about childhood vaccinations and downplayed the outbreak - before eventually endorsing MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine as infections surged.
Ironically, while the US requires all immigrants to be vaccinated against a range of diseases to protect its residents, it cannot impose the same on its own citizens. So, if you're heading to the US, you'll require more than your visa. Take your shots, and enter the US at your own health risk.
There's good reason to follow this advisory. The number of reported measles cases in the US has hit a 33-year high, with over 1,300 confirmed infections as of July. The data, released by Johns Hopkins University, marks a milestone in the ongoing outbreak of a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease once declared eliminated in the US. 92% cases were people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to CDC. Resurgence of these diseases is due to a drop in vaccination rates in the US. While the decline began before the pandemic, Covid disruptions to healthcare acted as a booster shot for resurgence. Many parents chose not to vaccinate their children because they 'didn't see these diseases', while vaccine fatigue, misinformation and growing distrust played their part. US secretary of health Robert F Kennedy Jr previously spread misinformation about childhood vaccinations and downplayed the outbreak - before eventually endorsing MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine as infections surged.
Ironically, while the US requires all immigrants to be vaccinated against a range of diseases to protect its residents, it cannot impose the same on its own citizens. So, if you're heading to the US, you'll require more than your visa. Take your shots, and enter the US at your own health risk.
