JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local pediatrician is stressing the importance of vaccines after Baptist Health confirmed two pediatric measles cases in Jacksonville last week.
Dr. Jeffrey Goldhagen, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine, joined The Morning Show on Monday to explain how measles is spread, along with the warning signs, and the importance of getting vaccinated.
This conversation comes three days after Baptist Health confirmed two pediatric measles cases in Jacksonville. According to a press release from the health system, the two children, who live in the same household, sought emergency care at Baptist Health’s main campus on Jan. 16.
Goldhagen said he was told the two children were not vaccinated.
“This is a public health emergency. It’s urgent. People need to talk to their doctors, they need to get vaccinated,” he said.
Goldhagen said it is concerning that the community was not notified of the measles cases until Jan. 23.
“The media should have been notified, not to create panic, but to provide information and create a sense as to where we’re involved,” he said.
“This was, from my perspective, professional malfeasance on the part of the health department, not our local health department; they did a wonderful job. Their hands are being tied by the state health department.”
Press play above to watch the full interview