Even today there are, worldwide, one million deaths annually from measles and 500,000 deaths from neonatal tetanus. We can point out the problems being experienced in the former Soviet Union as the dissolution of the state and near economic collapse has impacted their immunization program. In 1989 there were 839 cases of diphtheria reported in the Soviet Union. In 1994 there were 47,802 cases and in 1995 over 70,000 cases. We are just that far from experiencing the same thing ourselves.
Diphtheria has a high carrier rate in immunized hosts.
Reimposing the threat of lawsuits could threaten our immunization supply. The rise of the number of parents avoiding immunization out of ignorance could create pockets of at risk children throughout our country. The key is education. Education, not necessarily from glossy posters, but one on one and small group sessions from the family doctor. Each quarter we at the Rapid City Regional Hospital Family Practice Residency program would like to introduce you to a couple of our residents.