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Pharmacist and pediatricians stress MMR safety and counter misinformation — vitamin A not a substitute
Summary
Local pharmacists and pediatricians explained how vaccines train the immune system, summarized known side effects, and said vitamin A or other home remedies are not substitutes for MMR. Officials called misinformation a major barrier to outbreak control.
Speakers at the Lubbock Public Health news conference described how the MMR vaccine works, summarized its safety profile and urged residents to rely on established medical guidance rather than unproven remedies.
Crockett Tidwell, a local pharmacist, used an analogy to explain vaccination: “A vaccine … show[s] your body exactly what the disease looks like without making you sick,” and that prior vaccination allows the immune system to respond immediately on exposure. Tidwell emphasized the community benefit: the more people who are immune, the fewer opportunities the virus has to reach people who are vulnerable.
Dr. Ron Cook discussed vaccine safety and historical use, saying the MMR vaccine has been widely used for decades and that reported deaths linked to the vaccine have not been confirmed as caused by vaccination. Dr. Cook noted that in 2024 the United States had nine deaths associated with measles (the disease), and stressed that vaccine‑associated deaths were not reported in CDC investigations.
Dr. Anna Montanez addressed claims in some communities that vitamin A or other supplements could prevent or treat measles, saying vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination and unsupervised dosing can cause organ damage. “Vitamin A is not a treatment for measles. It is not protective against measles. The only thing that is protective against measles is the MMR vaccine,” Montanez said.
Why it matters: officials said vaccine safety explanations and direct conversations with families can change minds. They called misinformation “our biggest nemesis” and urged health-care providers and community leaders to continue clear, accurate outreach.
Ending: health officials and clinicians encouraged residents with questions about vaccination to contact their pediatrician, pharmacy or the Lubbock Health Department.
