The CDC has announced that measles has made its way into 10 states, affecting 61 people this year so far. At this rate we will have at least 244 people fighting measles by the end of the year. That is a saddening statistic, considering scientific progress allowed the United States to eliminate the disease in 2000. What is the main reason measles are making a comeback? The highest contribution to the recent outbreaks can be linked to lack of vaccination among Americans because of personal choice. Here are my top 5 favorite reasons why people shouldn't get the measles vaccine.

1. I read somewhere that vaccines can cause autism and other disorders.

Hmmm... Although people are still trying to prove this, the claim was made almost 20 years ago. SEVERAL scientific studies have supported the idea that children who are vaccinated versus children who aren't vaccinated have no difference in neurological function, and thus not linked with the rise of autism, despite the fact that both vaccination and autism cases were on the rise in the late 1990s. See the evidence for yourself.

2. It's safer for children to fight disease naturally.

A child's immune systems isn't fully developed before they turn 3 years old, so how is it fair to them if they catch measles from the other children at the daycare or public settings? During this crucial time, they aren't even strong enough to handle certain common items like over-the-counter medicines, toothpaste, etc., let alone fighting off a severe cold/fever/rash. Not to mention that once you get the disease, the only way to get rid of it is to let it pass because there is no antiviral medication.

So, when you don't vaccinate yourself or your children who are old enough, you ultimately put people's babies at risk of getting this highly contagious disease where they will have much less of a chance of fighting it off. But why should you care about other people's children, right?

3. If everyone else is vaccinated, then I shouldn't need one.

There is a term called "herd immunity" which refers to the the masses getting immunized so that the disease doesn't spread across the community like wildfire. But chances are, if you're thinking so many people get them that you don't need one, there is someone else thinking the same thing. It takes one person in your vicinity to be infected for you to be infected too.

And then what? You infect someone else who thought they didn't need the vaccination, and then.. voila! Everyone not already vaccinated in your community is infected until they are quarantined. Sound like an exaggeration? Look up the areas of recent outbreaks... measles is that contagious.

4. Measles is eliminated in the US... I don't have to worry about catching it.

Thanks to our highly globalized society, there are still ways for outbreaks to occur in the US, ESPECIALLY if people are not vaccinated. Measles is still quite prevalent in Europe, Asia, and Africa, so those people can easily infect an American who is not immune to the disease. The whole reason that the disease was eliminated in the US was because the population's majority was being vaccinated, so new programs could more effectively monitor the disease's prevalence and quickly respond to the few cases. You can choose to take away the vaccine, but then you cannot take away the disease as world travel becomes easier.

5. I'm not comfortable with the government controlling what I should and shouldn't put in my body.

The choice is yours whether or not you believe you or your children should be vaccinated. But do all of the research, which means look at reputable sources. Weigh out all the pros and cons. Then ask yourself: do I really want to risk making my family a statistic? Do you want to take the chance of making my whole community a statistic?