EDITORIAL: Anti-vax falsehoods fuel outbreaks of disease

Common sense — and centuries of scientific study — reveal the importance and effectiveness of vaccines. Numerous diseases that once wreaked havoc on society are now largely preventable thanks to researchers and broad public acceptance of medical advancements.

Over the past 25 years, however, growing segments of the population have embraced falsehoods about vaccines. This has led to public health officials — and the public — fighting a continuing battle that once was declared won.