Search results

This paper highlights defects in the UK measles control programme, and identifies possible reasons for this. The consequences of continuing low uptake rates are predicted on the basis of modelling theory. Proposals that could be implemented by district and regional health authorities are made.

Accelerated life tests on avionic PWAs (printed wiring assemblies) showed no relationship between measles and premature electrical failures. For the study, test samples with measles and crazes bridging up to 100% of the distance between adjacent conductors were exposed to different combinations of thermal cycling, humidity and DC voltage bias. The exposures were designed to accelerate electrochemical failure processes such as CAF (conductive anodicfilament) growth between conductors. The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase I, measled and non‐measled sites on six modules (including both epoxy/fibreglass and polyimide/fibreglass PWBs were tested. Bias voltages of 10,100 and 200 volts DC were applied during 10‐day tests and currents were monitored to detect the appearance of electrical shorts between individual conductor pads. Microscopic examination revealed no detectable change in the size or appearance of the measles during the exposure. Currents measured during the exposure were generally in the nanoamp range. They were similar for both measled and control sites and all sites passed the minimum criterion for insulation resistance of 500 megohms. Two of the modules were then tested at 320 and 500 volts. Short circuit failures were produced, but metallographic examination revealed them to be artifacts associated with reworked solder pads. There was no correlation between the incidence of failure and the presence of measles. In Phase II, test sites on two new polyimide/glass modules were exposed at voltages up to 500 V for a series of 5‐ or 10‐day periods, interspersed with precise measurements of insulation resistance under ambient conditions. Although no failures were produced in these tests, the ambient measurements showed some loss in insulation resistance with exposure time. Further testing revealed that the loss of insulation resistance was reversible and was unrelated to the presence or absence of measles.

Purpose – The authors examine framing and narrativization in news coverage of health threats to assess variations in news discourse for known, emerging and novel health risks. Methodology/Approach – Using the analytical categories of known, emerging, and novel risks the authors discuss media analyses of anti-vaccination, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and Covid-19. Findings – Known risks are framed within a biomedical discourse in which scientific evidence underpins public health guidelines, and following these directives prevent risk exposure while non-compliance is characterized as immoral and risky. News coverage of emerging risks highlights public health guidelines but fails to convey their importance as the risks seem too distant or abstract. Media coverage of novel risks is characterized by the ubiquity of uncertainty, which emerges as a “master frame” under which all incidents and events are subsumed. Stories about novel risks highlight the fluid and changing nature of scientific knowledge, which has the unintended effect of fueling uncertainty as studies and experts contradict each other. Originality/Value – This chapter introduces a new analytical framework for examining how media stories represent public health risks, along with previously unpublished analysis of media coverage about AMR and Covid-19. This chapter provides insight about the nature of risk discourses involving media, public health officials, activists, and citizens.

Much of the discussion surrounding the antivaccine movement focuses on the decision of parents to not vaccinate their children and the resulting danger posed to others. However, the primary risk is borne by the child left unvaccinated. Although living in a developed country with high vaccination rates provides a certain amount of protection through population immunity, the unvaccinated child is still exposed to a considerably greater risk of preventable diseases than one who is vaccinated. I explore the tension between parental choice and the child’s right to be free of preventable diseases. The chapter’s goal is twofold: to advocate for moving from a dyadic framework – considering the interests of the parents against those of the state – to a triadic one, in which the interests of the child are given as much weight as those of the parent and the state; and to discuss which protections are available, and how they can be improved. Specific legal tools available to protect that child are examined, including tort liability of the parents to the child, whether and to what degree criminal law has a role, under what circumstances parental choice should be overridden, and the role of school immunization requirements in protecting the individual child.

Throughout history, pandemics have played a significant role in reshaping human civilizations through mortalities, morbidities, economic losses and other catastrophic consequences. The present COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to its knees resulting in overstretched healthcare systems, increased health inequalities and disruptions to people’s right to health including life-saving routine immunization programs across the world.

This is a commentary paper.

Immunization remains one of the most successful, safe, cost-effective and proven fundamental disease prevention measures in the history of public health. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has effectively thrown the world's immunization practices out of gear, depriving approximately 80 million infants, in rich and poor countries alike, at risk of triggering a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio. It is estimated that each COVID-19 death averted by suspending immunization sessions in Africa could lead to 29-347 future deaths due to other diseases including measles, yellow fever, polio, meningitis, pneumonia and diarrhoea.

The value of implementing robust immunization policies cannot be underestimated. Risks associated with postponing immunization services and the fact that COVID-19 is now an integral part of human civilization have resulted in several countries making special efforts to continue their immunization services. However, critical precautionary measures are warranted to prevent COVID-19 among healthcare service providers, facilitators, caregivers and children during the immunization sessions.