Dr. Tyler Barnes Urges Parents to Get Kids Vaccinated
ROME, Ga., April 29, 2024 – The rising numbers of measles cases in the U.S. have both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Atrium Health Floyd pediatrician Dr. Tyler Barnes concerned.
From January 1 to March 14, 2024, there were 58 confirmed cases if of the measles in the U.S., compared to 58 for all of 2023. This prompted the CDC to warn U.S. citizens traveling abroad to stay current on their MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccines. Fifty-four of the measles cases reported by mid-March were linked to international travel and included children older than 1 who had not received the vaccine.
“I have said this for a while, but as more people refuse vaccinations, our herd immunity will continue to decrease, putting a lot of people at risk," said Dr. Barnes. “Some patients may only develop a rash and fever and improve, but some kids can get very sick and even die from this illness."
Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective against the illness, according to the CDC, and one dose is 93% effective. When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through what is known as herd or community immunity.
But the CDC is reporting that the vaccination rate for U.S. kindergartners dipped from 95.2% in 2019-2020 to 93.1% during the 2022–2023 school year.
“I urge all of my parents to get their kids vaccinated, but I also respect the decision of parents if they decide to keep their children unvaccinated," Dr. Barnes said.
He pointed out that unvaccinated people put at risk those who are immunocompromised or can't take the vaccine because of medical reasons.
“That is another reason the vaccination is important," Dr. Barnes added.
Measles typically begins with a fever, cough and/or runny nose. The rash that many people associate with the measles may not show up for several days after the first symptoms.
To make an appointment to get the measles and other vaccines, contact Atrium Health Floyd Pediatrics, 304 Shorter Ave., at 706-236-4880.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd employs more than 3,500 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at three hospitals: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 304-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; as well as Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health – a freestanding 53-bed behavioral health facility in Rome – and also primary care and urgent care network locations throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is its academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing $2.8 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs nearly 155,000 team members across 68 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.