Parents Should be Strongly Encouraged to Vaccinate their Children Against Measles

WHEREAS, measles was thought to be officially eradicated in 2000; and

WHEREAS, a recent outbreak of measles has now infected nearly 700 people in 22 states, as of April 24, 2019, with the majority of cases in children under the age of 6; and

WHEREAS, measles can spread rapidly when it reaches a community in the U.S. where groups of people are unvaccinated; and

WHEREAS, studies suggest that 15-25% of people who get measles will need to be hospitalized and a small number could die; and

WHEREAS, many people with measles have complications such as diarrhea, ear infections or pneumonia. They can also get a brain infection that can lead to permanent brain damage; and

WHEREAS measles during pregnancy increases the risk of early labor, miscarriage and low birth weight Infants. Measles can be more severe in people with weak Immune systems; and

WHEREAS, measles is mostly preventable through MMR vaccination.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People stands strongly in favor of measles vaccinations.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP will urge all of its Units to work to assist parents to vaccinate their children against measles in accordance with best medical practices.