Roald Dahl encourages measles vaccination
In 1986, beloved author Roald Dahl wrote a heartfelt letter urging parents to vaccinate their children against measles. This deeply personal plea stemmed from his own devastating loss—his daughter Olivia died of measles encephalitis in 1962 at just seven years old. At the time, a measles vaccine was not widely available, but its introduction in subsequent years transformed the fight against this highly contagious disease, which causes encephalitis in about 1 in 1,000 children. Here is his letter:
Measles: A Dangerous Illness by Roald Dahl
My eldest daughter caught measles when she was seven years old. As the illness took its usual course I can remember reading to her often in bed and not feeling particularly alarmed about it. Then one morning, when she was well on the road to recovery, I was sitting on her bed showing her how to fashion little animals out of coloured pipe cleaners, and when it came to her turn to make one herself, I noticed that her fingers and her mind were not working together and she couldn’t do anything.
“Are you feeling all right?” I asked her.
“I feel all sleepy,” she said.
In an hour, she was unconscious. In twelve hours she was dead.
The measles had turned into a terrible thing called measles encephalitis and there was nothing the doctors could do to save her.
That was twenty-four years ago in 1962, but even now, if a child with measles happens to develop the same deadly reaction from measles as Olivia did, there would still be nothing the doctors could do to help her.
On the other hand, there is today something that parents can do to make sure that this sort of tragedy does not happen to a child of theirs. They can insist that their child is immunised against measles. I was unable to do that for Olivia in 1962 because in those days a reliable measles vaccine had not been discovered. Today a good and safe vaccine is available to every family and all you have to do is to ask your doctor to administer it.
It is not yet generally accepted that measles can be a dangerous illness.
Believe me, it is. In my opinion, parents who now refuse to have their children immunised are putting the lives of those children at risk.
In America, where measles immunisation is compulsory, measles, like smallpox, has been virtually wiped out.
Here in Britain, because so many parents refuse, either out of obstinacy or ignorance or fear, to allow their children to be immunised, we still have a hundred thousand cases of measles every year.
Out of those, more than 10,000 will suffer side effects of one kind or another.
At least 10,000 will develop ear or chest infections.
About 20 will die.
LET THAT SINK IN.
Every year around 20 children die in Britain from measles.
So what about the risks that your children will run from being immunised?
They are almost non-existent. Listen to this. In a district of around 300,000 people, there will be only one child every 250 years who will develop serious side effects from measles immunisation! That is about a million-to-one chance. I should think there would be more chance of your child choking to death on a chocolate bar than of becoming seriously ill from a measles immunisation.
So what on earth are you worrying about?
It really is almost a crime to allow your child to go unimmunised.
The ideal time to have it done is 13 months, but it is never too late. All school children who have not yet had a measles immunisation should beg their parents to arrange for them to have one as soon as possible.
Incidentally, I dedicated two of my books to Olivia, the first was “James and the Giant Peach.” That was when she was still alive. The second was “The BFG,” dedicated to her memory after she had died from measles. You will see her name at the beginning of each of these books. And I know how happy she would be if only she could know that her death had helped to save a good deal of illness and death among other children.
Dahl’s anguish over Olivia’s death inspired him to advocate for vaccination and raise awareness about the preventable risks of measles. He expressed his hopes that no other family would have to endure the heartbreak he experienced.
Dahl’s grief is evident in his dedication of two of his most famous works to Olivia: James and the Giant Peach and The BFG. The former is an imaginative tale of a young boy’s journey across the ocean in a magical peach, accompanied by quirky insect friends, while the latter tells the story of a young girl who befriends a kind-hearted giant and works with him to save the world from evil giants.
Through his letter and his creative works, Dahl’s legacy remains not only one of storytelling but also of compassion and advocacy for children’s health and safety.
Who is Roald Dahl?
Roald Dahl, born on September 13, 1916, in Llandaff, Wales, is celebrated as one of the most imaginative and beloved children’s authors of the 20th century. Known for his vivid storytelling, quirky characters, and often darkly humorous plots, Dahl created worlds that have captivated readers for generations.
His ability to blend whimsy with wickedness set him apart, making his stories unforgettable for both children and adults.
Dahl’s literary journey began during World War II, when he served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force and later as an intelligence officer. His experiences inspired his first stories, including tales for adults, before he turned his attention to children’s literature.
His breakout children’s book, James and the Giant Peach (1961), introduced readers to the fantastical adventures of James, a lonely boy who embarks on an extraordinary journey with a group of anthropomorphic insects in a giant, magical peach. This was followed by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964), the iconic tale of Willy Wonka, a mysterious chocolatier, and a young boy named Charlie who wins the chance to visit his extraordinary factory.
Other enduring classics include Matilda (1988), the story of a gifted girl with telekinetic powers who overcomes neglectful parents and a tyrannical school headmistress, and The Witches (1983), which explores the world of sinister witches hiding in plain sight and a boy’s quest to stop them. Dahl also wrote Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970), a charming tale of a clever fox outwitting greedy farmers, and The Twits (1980), a hilariously grotesque depiction of a malicious couple who delight in tormenting each other.
Beyond his children’s books, Dahl penned a range of works for adults, including macabre short stories often laced with ironic twists, such as those found in Tales of the Unexpected. His versatility as a writer and his sharp wit ensured his success across genres.
Dahl’s works often carry deeper moral lessons wrapped in humor and the unexpected, championing kindness, bravery, and resilience. With his vivid imagination and unique voice, Roald Dahl remains a cornerstone of children’s literature, inspiring countless readers to embrace their creativity and see the world through a lens of wonder.
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