Aloha, friends and readers. Laughter is therapeutic, and today I’d like to share another aspect of good health. Here it goes, and then I’ll treat you to a few jokes!
Vaccinations save lives, protect our children and are one of our greatest public health achievements. As an older physician, I remember diseases like polio, measles, rubella and diphtheria afflicting hundreds of thousands of infants, children and adults, and killing thousands each year.
What many people do not realize is that our immune system is at the center of our defenses. And yes, it will become almost inactive without regular interactions with the natural world. So UN-VACCINATED children are at the mercy of an epidemic of such diseases listed in the previous paragraph.
Let me remind you of the polio epidemics of the past and the era of iron lungs and leg braces. The rubella epidemic of the 1960s resulted in thousands of newborn deaths, many more born blind, deaf or with other lifelong disabilities. Is that what we want again? Absolutely NOT! It can be avoided by a simple vaccination.
Modern vaccines are highly effective and safe. Vaccines do not cause autism nor do they contain toxic chemicals. This was recently demonstrated in a new study on MMR vaccination by Danish researchers.
We cannot be complacent. The recent measles outbreaks should be a reminder that vaccination is critical to all children. Please, counter the misinformation that fuels anti-vaccine sentiment. Science that sits on the shelf has no value. Thus, the reason for this letter!
Sharon J. Bintliff, MD, FACEP, Clinical Professor Surgery and Pediatrics; University of Hawaii School of Medicine
Now for some LOLs I promised you!
Very Funny Store Signs:
• On a front door: PUSH — if that does not work, PULL — if that doesn’t work, WE MUST BE CLOSED!
• Sign in a window: Due to the shortage of robots, some of our workers are human and may react unpredictably when abused!
• Best of all, a liquor store sign: In Wine there is Wisdom, In Beer there is Strength, In Water there is bacteria — YOU DECIDE.
Aloha, a hui hou.
