Unlike the United States where anti-science voices are influencing public policy, Mexico has responded to an increasing number of measles (sarampión) cases with a vigorous vaccination campaign.
The outbreak began in the northern state of Chihuahua which borders on Texas, and since then has spread to three other states as well as Mexico City. Officials are anxious to increase vaccination rates, especially since the world will be coming to Mexico this summer for the World Cup games.
On Saturday, Alejandro and I were walking along the Paseo de la Reforma, and we saw numerous posters advertising that free measles vaccines would be given the next day at the main entrance to Chapultepec Park between 11 AM and 3 PM
Both Alejandro and I had measles when we were children. His sister, who works in a hospital, also had the disease as a child. However, she was required to be vaccinated. A friend of Alejandro's who also works in a hospital was vaccinated as a boy. But he too was required to get another shot. We thought that perhaps it would be a good idea if we got a shot to serve as a booster.
So, on Sunday we headed to Chapultepec's main entrance, known as the Gate of the Lions because of the two bronze lions which flank the gate.
A volunteer advertising the vaccination campaign
(She looks rather grim, but actually she was very pleasant when I asked if I could take her picture.)
Just inside the gate, there were tents set up and a long line of people waiting for their shot.
The line moved quickly however, and within ten minutes we had our shot. It burned at first, but after a few minutes, neither one of us could feel any pain even at the point of vaccination.
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