Vaccines keep our children safe

To the editor:

New York is facing a measles outbreak. There have been 214 confirmed cases as of March 27, according to NYC.gov, right here in New York City, and the number rises every day.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), or even death.

However, it can be prevented through vaccination.

In nearby Rockland County — approximately 30 miles away — children who have not received their MMR vaccine have been banned from public places within the county. While this is an extreme measure, its purpose stems from local elected officials who are desperate to contain the outbreak.

Their hope is that social pressure will keep the rest of the community safe from the illness, especially those most at risk: babies.

I am not a scientist, a doctor, or an elected official. I am simply a mother who loves her children and hopes to protect them. Like every mother, one of my biggest fears would be seeing my child in the hospital, suffering with an illness, especially one that could have been prevented through vaccination.

As a Riverdale resident for the past six years, I have seen my neighbors fiercely protect their children.

They have voiced opinions in parent association meetings, voted in primary races to elect politicians who will improve the lives of their children, and work together to make our neighborhood safer and cleaner.

The parents of Riverdale want this neighborhood to be the best place to raise our children. Visit Spuyten Duyvil playground, Menchie’s, Yo Burger, or any of our many kid-friendly hangouts, and one thing will be clear — parents in Riverdale love their children.

Our representative in the New York state Assembly, Jeffrey Dinowitz, is sponsoring a bill that would repeal the exemption of vaccines due to religious beliefs, ensuring that all children — who are medically able — must be vaccinated. While the opposition to this bill feels it’s a violation of their rights, this mother feels that it will keep her children healthy.

In a child-friendly community like Riverdale, having more children vaccinated — as opposed to exempt — will keep our community safe during this measles outbreak.

Morgan Evers