The antivax brigade has a lot to answer for, not least the rise and rise of measles, which can be lethal, but is so easily staved off with vaccination. Even if it is not lethal for many, it can be a very problematic disease not least because in some ways it makes your immune system lose its memory of how to protect you from other diseases. While this effect may only be temporary in most cases, temporary can be long enough for another potentially lethal pathogen to take hold while you are vulnerable.
I’ve seen mention on social media of the notion that measles can delete your immune system’s memory of other diseases, and so its ability to fight infection. It’s not quite that simple, but the bottom line is that you are better off being vaccinated against it than not, as are your children.
I asked an immunologist contact to verify the following, which she did:
Measles infection itself does not delete your immune system memory, but it can have significant effects on the immune system that may indirectly impact immune memory. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the measles virus. The virus primarily targets and infects immune cells, particularly those involved in the adaptive immune response, such as memory B cells and T cells.
The immune system relies on memory cells to “remember” previous encounters with pathogens and mount a faster and more effective response upon re-exposure. In the case of measles, the virus can infect and destroy memory B cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies against specific pathogens. This can lead to a temporary weakening of the immune response and an increased susceptibility to other infections.
Additionally, measles can suppress the overall function of the immune system, leaving the individual more vulnerable to opportunistic infections. The severity of these effects can depend on various factors, including the individual’s overall health, nutritional status, and the presence of any underlying medical conditions.
It is important to note that while measles can have a negative impact on the immune system, the immune system is generally resilient, and in many cases, it can recover over time. Vaccination against measles is a highly effective preventive measure, not only protecting against measles itself but also helping to maintain overall immune system health. The measles vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce a protective response without causing the disease, and it does not have the same detrimental effects on immune memory as natural measles infection.