In the United States, measles has largely been eradicated thanks to the introduction of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1971. The MMR vaccine is typically administered in a series of two doses; and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these two doses are 97 percent effective in preventing contraction of this potentially-fatal disease. Each year, less than 1,000 people in the United States contract measles, and in some years the number of reported cases is less than 100.
Unfortunately, like all vaccines, the measles vaccines (including MMR) are not without their own risks. Continue reading
Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare but dangerous medical condition that has been linked to the annual flu shot. In many cases, individuals who contract GBS after getting vaccinated against the flu are eligible to recover their medical expenses and other losses through the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).