The anti vax movement is huge… the vax movement is huge… it is emotional, people almost come to blows over their opinions, and in the middle, you have guys like me, who are anti vax for my kids, I really don’t care what you do for yours, but tell me I am hurting society because I don’t vaccinate mine, and we are going to do battle.
Honestly, I know a ton of you will hate me for this, but I don’t even want anti-abortion laws. I HATE the idea of abortion, and I totally agree that God will judge our nation. So then, I feel like I should reach people where they are, love them to death, show them the beauty of the source of that love, and guide them so they would then choose not to. And then, as a nation, we would as a majority choose not to abort. Does that make sense, even if you don’t agree? So I feel the same about vaccines, don’t make me, or anyone do it or not, just give me a choice, let my experience, intelligence and wisdom lead to my decision.
So, I posted this great image for all of you in another Daily Sprout, a little while back. I read a pro vaccine post the other day, and it made me think of this image. The PROOF that vaccines were NOT the reason why infectious diseases were eradicated/reduced. Part of the reason perhaps, but look at the ridiculous evidence in favor of natural immunity.
I was interested in how well this author kept their emotions seemingly intact, but then at how obvious to me, that their position was one of passionate emotion as they so quickly dismissed the arguments that are commonly brought up by the anti vaccine movement, and referenced scientific evidence of safety.
It was written by “anonymous” which I also found interesting. Don’t want to give away your obvious bend towards a singular belief huh? Well, you’ll never find me posting as anonymous. This is Dr. Eric J Richards, HealthSprout… Woodstock GA… The Garage, The Garage Games, CrossFit Silos, CrossFit Bridgemill, CrossFit Towne Lake… look me up. Want to debate? I am available.
The full article, is found HERE. Anyways, this is an excerpt –
They say that measles isn’t a deadly disease.
But it is.
They say that chickenpox isn’t that big of a deal.
But it can be.
They say that the flu isn’t dangerous.
But it is.
They say that whooping cough isn’t so bad for kids to get.
But it is.
They say that vaccines aren’t that effective at preventing disease.
But 3 million children’s lives are saved every year by vaccination, and 2 million die every year from vaccine-preventable illnesses.
They say that “natural infection” is better than vaccination.
But they’re wrong.
I went through the links that were provided. Of course, they are to one off studies, some with anecdotal evidence, others with opinion. The reality is, I don’t need an opinion. I need an answer. Would somebody, anybody in the pro vaccine movement tell me why the above image exists? Somebody? Stop ignoring it, defend your precious vaccine, and give me solid evidence. That one graph was the entire reason why we did not vaccinate our kids.
We fought long and hard for evidence that vaccines were winning the risk/reward battle, and once I saw that graph, it was all over for me. No vaccines.
To the author’s point that studies show that people die from whooping cough, and they die from measles and chicken pox too. Well, fortunately, not many. Unfortunately, yes some do. But take a look at this Cartersville pediatrician’s point on natural immunity:
Ultimately, I believe that vaccine policy will change in the direction of “less is better.” Vaccines do not have zero risk. The pharmaceutical companies are biased, and influence vaccine policy more than they should. Chickenpox is not smallpox. Hepatitis A is not polio. Papilloma virus is not HIV. Are we trying to eradicate the flu from the world? What if something happens whereby we can’t vaccinate 90% of the population forever? How then will a society that has become dependent upon a fragile artificial immunity deal with these germs? In forty years will the flu and chicken pox be like the plague? I think these questions and others are legitimate ones.
http://www.cartersvillepediatrician.com/vaccines-and-medications/48-vaccine-policy.html
Its cool seeing this from a pediatrician, and I am sharing it because even though I don’t see eye to eye with this doctor on many things, I love the point that is being driven home here, and think if you feel you need a pediatrician. Which I am not too sure why you would, but if you think you do, then this one might be a good choice.
The point they drove home here – we are so disease fragile, that we are making chicken pox the next big scare. Or measles, or any of the vaccinated diseases. See, there is this fantastic thing that we should all be trying to get for our kids… an immune system. You get one for free, but you keep one through work. Antibacterial soap doesn’t help. Lysol on everything doesn’t help. Washing your hands after every contact with everything doesn’t help. Eating conventionally raised food doesn’t help.
So to the “anonymous” author of the article above… you fool. Don’t you realize that those studies are done showing the impact of infectious disease on the least common denominator? And do you not realize that your pressure to crutch all of humanity is driving us all to be more of the least common denominator? The idea of survival of the fittest is somewhat unfair in a society of intelligent and wise decision makers, but if we fail to sow then reap an immune system, then why are we even wasting our breath talking about the diseases of the 20th century? The diseases of the 21st century have already proven they are more virulent, and we are well on our way to destruction by them at the current pace.
Build a strong body. That is your task. Be well and Be blessed – Dr. E