Lincoln mother with natural healthcare approach still vaccinates kids as measles outbreak worsens

The measles outbreak in the U.S. is growing worse by the week.  In fact, experts expect cases nationwide to surpass record levels not seen in 25 years.

Fortunately here in Nebraska, no cases have been reported in 2019, and only four cases total have happened in the last decade.  Nebraska ranks among the top ten states in the country for vaccination rates.

State Epidemiologist Tom Safranek says Nebraskans are diligent about getting and keep up to date with their vaccinations, but the possibility of the measles spreading to the state can not be ruled out.

That’s why mothers like Michelle Bliemeister chooses to vaccinate her children, even though she and her husband typically have a more natural approach to health care.

“We’re not a family to just jump and go to the doctor, like oh my daughter has a cough I need to jump and go to the doctor – we really believe it’s good to just kinda work it out of their system,” Bliemeister said, “but when you’re talking about deadly diseases or deadly viruses, that’s something like well, let’s not skimp on that one.”

Many things in Michelle’s household are still based on a naturalistic mindset, including avoiding processed sugars and the use of essential oils.  

But after speaking with a doctor friend before the birth of her first child, she decided her children’s risk of getting a dangerous disease wasn’t something she wanted to chance.

“I know a lot of moms who do not believe in vaccinations, that’s their decisions, but for me I feel so much more comfortable knowing that my daughter is protected against it,” Bliemeister said.

That’s the kind of mindset Kerri Purkeypile, APRN, agrees with.  She’s part of the medical team at CHI Health at Antelope Creek Family Physicians.

With 71 new cases of the measles being added to the national total last week alone, Purkeypile believes vaccinating is more important than ever.

“After the first dose of the vaccine, you have approximately only a 7% chance of contracting the virus. Then after the booster vaccine, you have less than a 3% chance of contracting the virus,” Purkeypile said.

Luckily, she says the patients she sees have increased their concern about their vaccination status, especially in the past few years.

“What I have typically seen people present, especially adults, I’m going to be traveling and I’m not sure if I’ve received all my vaccinations,” Purkeypile said.

But regardless of someone’s diligence to get vaccinated and keep up with their vaccinations, it only takes one unvaccinated person to bring the measles to a new state.

“What’s scary to me not only with people not having the vaccine, is that it can spread to other people – it’s a very contagious virus. People can die from this,” Purkeypile said.

That reason is why Michelle Bliemeister is comfortable with her decision to continue to vaccinate her two daughters.

“My kids are both smart and healthy and happy and so I don’t look back on it and think, man that was a bad idea,” Bliemeister said.

The measles vaccine is just a shot in the arm.  Possible side effects are mild, including injection site soreness and a mild fever that goes away in 1-2 days.