Eileen Dannemann
Director, National Coalition of Organized Women
(319) 855-0307
Ncowmail@gmail.com
9 thoughts on “Contact”
MHONA
As an advocate for my cities elderly & disabled communities since 1962, a person with several disabilities and now on life support as a dialysis patient every other day and now as a senior citizen, I am very much disappointed in the lack of any response and follow up in & from our news agencies to that of the Fukashima Horror story that to date receives the most minimal of coverage. Second news follow up would be the real lack of issues covering the vaccines for the peoples. Lastly the third IS the NOW escaping stories as well (confirmed) and not is about how many globally as well in our own state with actual EBOLA issues. As peoples with Disabilities & The Elderly, I would state we should receive responses from our appointed officials about these very important issues. Sadly to say, I have received no responses. It is difficult enough to watch out for ones self alone and with or without family. Why is there such a noticeable reluctance for “we the peoples” the disabled, the elderly not to be responded to effectively? Is the Public and or the disabled & elderly peoples not to be included in receiving any news at all or allowed to make sufficient inquiries? Whom say we send our questions ? Who IS it in Americam a Truthfully watching out for our lives locally & globally ?
Mrs. Tatiana A. Kostanian – USA Advocate For & By The Communities and Peoples of the Disabled & Elderly
Sadie Camama
I am inquiring about getting some stickers. I would absolutely love some!
My address is
2561 Redlands Ave
Perris, CA 92571
https://vaccineliberationarmy.com/sticker-strategy/infantry/ and fill out the order form. I hope you join the mobile fleet with the car decals not only the stickers. Your choice. But we have to pick up the heat. We have 400 parents putting the decals on their cars. CDC is freaking out.
Simen Strandos
I really enjoy this site, it made my insane daughter to not murder her baby with vaccines, THANK GOD there is site like this, which reach out to the ignorance of the world!
I Hope You All Get Polio
Hi, you’re all idiots. Here’s why:
Most parents claim that they are willing to do anything for their children. However, there apparently are some who are not willing to do a small amount of research for the sake of their child’s health. Instead, parents who refuse to vaccinate their children will listen to the most convenient source, even if it is not the most credible. There have been more medical advancements made in the last century than there have been throughout history. Today, we have the luxury of living relatively without fear of disease. This freedom to live without fear of illness is owed mainly to vaccines. However, despite the number of lives they have saved and outbreaks they have prevented, vaccines have been given a reputation that makes them seem dangerous. Those who choose not to vaccinate focus on information that they do not completely understand, therefore making vaccines seem threatening. Some of this information is even falsified to gain support for today’s anti-vaccine movement. Vaccines are not dangerous to one’s health. We must put an end to this fear and general lack of knowledge that gives an excuse to not protect oneself from dangerous illnesses. Vaccines are not harmful, and can help to protect against life-threatening disease.
Dr. Edward Jenner is known for introducing the first vaccine to the world. During his time, smallpox was considered to be the greatest killer, never discriminating against whose life it would take. Evidence of the disease dates as far back as 1157 BC (“Vaccination”). This disease would have continued its reign of terror had Edward Jenner not made a groundbreaking discovery. At the beginning of his career, Dr. Jenner became familiar with the stories of milkmaids who could not be affected by smallpox after contracting cowpox. Cowpox, a mild viral infection common among cows, caused little discomfort and lasted for a short period of time (“Vaccination”). Dr. Jenner had the opportunity to test this lore when Sarah Nelmes, a dairymaid, called upon him concerning a rash on her hand. Jenner identified the rash as cowpox, and Sarah confirmed that one of her cows had recently been infected with the disease (“Vaccination”). Jenner tested his theory by infecting James Phipps, the son of his gardener, who had never been infected with smallpox or cowpox, with the material from the rash on Nelmes’ hand. After recovering from cowpox, Phipps was exposed to smallpox. However, due to his exposure to cowpox, “James did not develop smallpox on this occasion nor on the many subsequent occasions when his immunity was tested again” (“Vaccination”). Dr. Jenner had discovered that exposure to a less deadly or smaller amount of a disease could help the human body to fight off more dangerous illnesses. However, much like those who are fearful of today’s vaccines, many people opposed Jenner’s method, despite his research that proved exposure to a less dangerous disease could save lives from killers like smallpox.
Although purposely infecting oneself may seem unhealthy, this is the opposite of the truth. Vaccines are made up of the dead or weakened substances of a disease, known as antigens. These antigens are far less dangerous than the sickness itself as they cannot cause infection, but instead “prepare the body to fight disease without exposing it to disease symptoms” (Pappas). The body considers the substances in vaccines to be foreign invaders, and produces antibodies to combat the disease. After ridding the body of the disease introduced by the vaccine, many of the antibodies do begin to decay. Although, the immune cells that remain are able to recognize the threat when they encounter it again. These cells are able to produce antibodies rapidly, which can eliminate the enemy substance (Pappas). Essentially, the antigens that are introduced to the body via vaccines train the antibodies to fight off the disease they were once the cause of. The diseases themselves cannot cause harm or infection to the body, and actually help to strengthen it to combat future threats.
Vaccines help prepare the body to fight off diseases, but this process does not make one immune to all illness. Diseases are constantly evolving, meaning that antibodies will need to be trained to fight off different forms of antigens when they appear. The flu is perhaps the most skilled when it comes to evolving. It is able to mutate much faster than diseases such as mumps and polio (“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development”). During a flu epidemic, many people are able to gain immunity to the specific strain of flu virus. However, through natural selection, some particles of the virus have mutations that allow them to disguise themselves from antibodies. Because these strains are the most successful at entering the body undetected, millions of copies with the mutation are produced. This makes influenza very difficult to vaccinate for because the “flu evolves in response to the antibodies our bodies produce each year” (“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development”). Unlike other diseases that change very little, scientists must predict what strain of the flu we must be protected against. An individual is protected from diseases that have not evolved, such as measles, if they were vaccinated as a child. However, a different vaccine must be administered for influenza every year. These vaccines contain several different antigens that each protect against a different strain of the flu which are most likely to appear that year (“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development”). If one does not receive a yearly vaccination, they are at risk for being infected by the new form of the disease.
The myth that vaccines lead to autism was caused by the faulty research conducted in 1998. The person responsible for causing the fear that resulted in a huge decrease in the number of people protecting themselves against disease is Andrew Wakefield, a former gastroenterologist and medical researcher. Since Wakefield’s study, it has been discovered that the laboratory he used to conduct his experiment was set up in such a way that the plasmids maintaining the measles virus were contaminated because the lab had been used for polymerase chain reaction studies (Gorski). Because PCR is used to generate millions of copies of a certain DNA sequence, it would have easily amplified Wakefield’s results, making vaccines appear to be more dangerous than they are. This contamination of samples would also explain how “no scientist not associated with Andrew Wakefield has ever been able to replicate his work” (Gorski). Wakefield did not use correct procedures, and therefore was able to claim that his results suggested that vaccines were the cause of autism. Additionally, he is guilty of falsifying the medical reports of the children that were a part of his experiment (Gorski). Wakefield published his inaccurate findings in The Lancet, which is a medical journal published in the United Kingdom. Although his results were later discredited, the article describing Wakefield’s “study caused vaccination rates to plummet, resulting in a rise in measles” (Gorski). Wakefield’s license was revoked, and his article was retracted. However, people’s trust of vaccines had been too damaged, and Andrew Wakefield is responsible for marking lifesaving vaccines with the stigma of causing autism.
Perhaps Wakefield’s false results could be forgiven if he had conducted his experiment with the intention of protecting others from dangerous practices. However, this study was never meant to educate the general public. Instead, Wakefield was involved with several trial lawyers “who were interested in suing vaccine manufacturers, [for] £435,643 in fees, plus £3,910 expenses beginning even before his infamous ‘study’ started accruing patients” (Gorski). His study only occurred because Wakefield was paid by the UK Legal Aid Fund for his expert testimony against the manufacturers of MMR (a vaccine for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) in a class action lawsuit. Before his experiment even occurred, Wakefield himself had applied for a patent to produce his own version of the MMR vaccine (Gorski). From the beginning, Wakefield was greedy and had no intention of helping society. However, despite being proven wrong and discredited, Wakefield is held up as a martyr by those who believe his false accusations.
Along with fearing being injected with dead or dying antigens, those who are anti-vaccines fear any ingredients used in vaccines simply because these components sound threatening. Thimerosal, for example, was once attacked as the cause of autism. Thimerosal is actually a preservative that “is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose…to prevent growth of germs, like bacteria and fungi” (“Thimerosal in Vaccines”). Thimerosal was proven not to be the cause of autism. Instead, it is used to keep vaccines safe to use, and prevent further harm. Thimerosal also happens to contain an atom of mercury. Mercury is thought to be a dangerous substance that should be avoided at all cost. This is true for methylmercury. High exposure to methylmercury is toxic to humans, but even this more dangerous form of mercury is safe in small portions (“Thimerosal in Vaccines”). Methylmercury is actually found in several kinds of fish, including tuna. The mercury that Thimerosal contains is “ethylmercury, which is cleared from the human body more quickly than methylmercury, and is therefore less likely to cause any harm” (“Thimerosal in Vaccines”). All ingredients in vaccines are either harmless, or in small enough quantities that they cannot cause harm. It is impossible for vaccines to contain any ingredient that would cause harm to those who who receive them. Otherwise, these vaccines would not be legal to administer. Vaccines, like any other product intended for human consumption, must “undergo a rigorous review of laboratory and clinical data to ensure the safety, efficacy, purity and potency of these products” (“Vaccines”). The FDA will only approve vaccines that have been tested for safety and effectiveness. Even vaccines that have been approved may be subjected to further research. Some components may sound dangerous, but this is only because they are not understood.
It may seem that those who choose not to vaccinate are only harming themselves, and that it is their right to make this decision. However, choosing not to immunize oneself to disease actually has an effect on others. If there is a higher percentage of people who are protected from “a contagious disease, most members of the community are protected against that disease because there is little opportunity for an outbreak” (“Community Immunity (“Herd Immunity”)”). This is known as herd immunity, in which the vaccinated protect the unvaccinated. When others choose not to vaccinate, there are more people for a disease to infect. This can lead to an increase in the number of outbreaks. This may not seem threatening because those who do not vaccinate are making the choice to risk being infected by disease. It is believed that outbreaks would only affect those who are not vaccinated, while those who take precaution will be left unscathed. Those who are often not taken into consideration are the individuals who are not able to be vaccinated. Herd immunity is important, not only because it decreases the number of outbreaks of disease, but also because “it gives protection to vulnerable people such as newborn babies, elderly people and those who are too sick to be vaccinated” (“Herd Immunity (Community Immunity)”). A reduced risk of an outbreak is important to those who are not capable protecting themselves against one. Outbreaks of disease can kill many, but only if not enough people are vaccinated. This inability for diseases to spread could save the lives of those who are not able to vaccinate themselves due to age or health related reasons. Those who refuse to educate themselves about the vaccines and disease are putting others at risk. These people comfort themselves by preaching that vaccines are more dangerous than the disease they protect against, despite the fact that all evidence supports to the opposite.
Many dangerous diseases have been eradicated thanks to vaccines. However, as the movement to not vaccinate continues to gain support, diseases that were once dying off have been given the chance to thrive once more. When the “measles vaccine was licensed in 1962…the number of cases started to decline” (“Vaccines Are Effective”). As more and more people became immune to diseases, the antigens that caused them were unable to find hosts, and began to die out. Diseases could not spread between people who were vaccinated, meaning that, with so many immune to illness, outbreaks were not likely to occur. The increasing number of cases of once weakened diseases “is alarming, and mostly due to parents in the U.S. not vaccinating their kids” (Sifferlin). The number of possible targets for diseases to infect grows as the number of unvaccinated individuals does. Diseases can spread easily from person to person in large groups of those who are not immune. One disease that was thought to be dying out is whooping-cough. This disease was able to reemerge, and recently California had its worst outbreak of the disease. This outbreak “infected more than 9,000 people, [and] was also encouraged by a large number of kids who were unvaccinated” (Sifferlin). Parents may believe that they are preventing their children from having a harmful substance injected into their bodies. However, deadly diseases are the real danger to be aware of.
Although vaccines are not free of risk, they are not nearly as dangerous as those who advocate against them make them seem. Serious reactions to vaccines are extremely rare. A majority of this small number of side effects are as mild as redness, headaches, and fevers. As is true with any other form of medicine, vaccines “could cause a serious reaction. But the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small” (“Possible Side-effects from Vaccines”). Vaccines must stay within strict guidelines in order to be considered safe. This ensures that there will be a small number of unfavorable results. When compared to the number of lives that have been saved by vaccines, the amount of adverse effects is miniscule. The diseases that vaccines protect against are the real threats. The few, rare side effects of vaccines are eclipsed by the number of deaths and serious harm caused by disease. One must be able to assess the danger associated with the decision of vaccinating. Vaccines have very few possible outcomes that are unfavorable. These outcomes are extremely rare, and usually only cause slight discomfort. Disease, however, can lead to serious harm or even death. The risks of not being vaccinated outweigh those of not being protected against disease.
Most hate for vaccines stems from a fear of the unknown. Myths about side effects and components of vaccines that have never been heard of before sound dangerous, and can deter people from making the right decision. These unknown factors may seem frightening, but upon further investigation it is plain to see that vaccines pose no threat. All facts must be considered when making choices such as whether or not to vaccinate. Like a disease, fear and false information can be contagious. Each individual must educate themselves before making a decision of this magnitude. By doing so, a smarter community can be created to fend off the real dangers that life has to offer.
Work Cited
“Community Immunity (“Herd Immunity”).” Vaccines.gov. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 3 Mar. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
Gorski, David. “Antivaccine Hero Andrew Wakefield: Scientific Fraud?” Science-Based Medicine. Science-Based Medicine, 8 Feb. 2009. Web. 19 May 2016.
Gorski, David. “The General Medical Council to Andrew Wakefield.” Science-Based Medicine. Science-Based Medicine, 1 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 May 2016.
“Herd Immunity (Community Immunity).” Vaccine Knowledge Poject. Sarah Loving, 14 Apr. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development.” Understanding Evolution. The University of California Museum of Paleontology, Feb. 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.
Pappas, Stephanie. “How Do Vaccines Work?” LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 1 July 2010. Web. 13 May 2016.
“Possible Side-effects from Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Mar. 2016. Web. 28 May 2016.
Sifferlin, Alexandra. “4 Diseases Making a Comeback Thanks to Anti-Vaxxers.” Time. Time, 17 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 May 2016.
“Thimerosal in Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Oct. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
“Vaccination.” Jennermuseum.com. Dr. Jenner’s House, 2016. Web. 13 May 2016.
“Vaccines Are Effective.” Vaccines.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
“Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Nov. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
“Vaccines.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 7 Aug. 2015. Web. 24 May 2016.
P.S. Your plan to get kids to join your “liberation” by standing outside schools and offering free stickers is the creepiest thing I have ever heard.
I appreciate you making the effort to write such long letter. Check this link and notice that the most recent study by the major pharmacuetical companies show that the mechanism to detox toxins from the body is immature in infants…until 3 years old. This is the newest information from a reliable pharma source:
The problems with the pro-vaccine positions are the following:
!. Vaccination is a for-profit industry, bankrolling doctors, who are richly paid to give vaccines, hospitals, also richly paid, and dependent on this income, politicians, who vote according to the amount of campaign contributions the pharmaceutical industry offers them, and the media, through huge advertising revenue.It’s about the money.
2. There have been NO SAFETY TESTS FOR ANY VACCINE using the standard placebo controls, where placebos are inert substances. With no valid safety tests, vaccines cannot be called drugs or medications. They are called “biologicals”…..a name created to get around this huge problem. When untested chemical/biological cocktails are force-injected in huge numbers of people, they are being used as test animals for the benefit of the vaccine makers.
3. The vaccine makers and those who administer them have no liability for the harm they have done. The damaged patients…….children and their families….must in effect sue the US dept. of Health and Human Services, and fight Dept. of Justice lawyers. Chances of obtaining any kind of meaningful compensation are almost nil.
4. In many states, force-vaccination is mandatory. The right to self-determination is ignored. Some politicians, and media, want to make free discussion about this issue illegal…..What happened to the First Amendment?
As an advocate for my cities elderly & disabled communities since 1962, a person with several disabilities and now on life support as a dialysis patient every other day and now as a senior citizen, I am very much disappointed in the lack of any response and follow up in & from our news agencies to that of the Fukashima Horror story that to date receives the most minimal of coverage. Second news follow up would be the real lack of issues covering the vaccines for the peoples. Lastly the third IS the NOW escaping stories as well (confirmed) and not is about how many globally as well in our own state with actual EBOLA issues. As peoples with Disabilities & The Elderly, I would state we should receive responses from our appointed officials about these very important issues. Sadly to say, I have received no responses. It is difficult enough to watch out for ones self alone and with or without family. Why is there such a noticeable reluctance for “we the peoples” the disabled, the elderly not to be responded to effectively? Is the Public and or the disabled & elderly peoples not to be included in receiving any news at all or allowed to make sufficient inquiries? Whom say we send our questions ? Who IS it in Americam a Truthfully watching out for our lives locally & globally ?
Mrs. Tatiana A. Kostanian – USA Advocate For & By The Communities and Peoples of the Disabled & Elderly
I am inquiring about getting some stickers. I would absolutely love some!
My address is
2561 Redlands Ave
Perris, CA 92571
https://vaccineliberationarmy.com/sticker-strategy/infantry/ and fill out the order form. I hope you join the mobile fleet with the car decals not only the stickers. Your choice. But we have to pick up the heat. We have 400 parents putting the decals on their cars. CDC is freaking out.
I really enjoy this site, it made my insane daughter to not murder her baby with vaccines, THANK GOD there is site like this, which reach out to the ignorance of the world!
Hi, you’re all idiots. Here’s why:
Most parents claim that they are willing to do anything for their children. However, there apparently are some who are not willing to do a small amount of research for the sake of their child’s health. Instead, parents who refuse to vaccinate their children will listen to the most convenient source, even if it is not the most credible. There have been more medical advancements made in the last century than there have been throughout history. Today, we have the luxury of living relatively without fear of disease. This freedom to live without fear of illness is owed mainly to vaccines. However, despite the number of lives they have saved and outbreaks they have prevented, vaccines have been given a reputation that makes them seem dangerous. Those who choose not to vaccinate focus on information that they do not completely understand, therefore making vaccines seem threatening. Some of this information is even falsified to gain support for today’s anti-vaccine movement. Vaccines are not dangerous to one’s health. We must put an end to this fear and general lack of knowledge that gives an excuse to not protect oneself from dangerous illnesses. Vaccines are not harmful, and can help to protect against life-threatening disease.
Dr. Edward Jenner is known for introducing the first vaccine to the world. During his time, smallpox was considered to be the greatest killer, never discriminating against whose life it would take. Evidence of the disease dates as far back as 1157 BC (“Vaccination”). This disease would have continued its reign of terror had Edward Jenner not made a groundbreaking discovery. At the beginning of his career, Dr. Jenner became familiar with the stories of milkmaids who could not be affected by smallpox after contracting cowpox. Cowpox, a mild viral infection common among cows, caused little discomfort and lasted for a short period of time (“Vaccination”). Dr. Jenner had the opportunity to test this lore when Sarah Nelmes, a dairymaid, called upon him concerning a rash on her hand. Jenner identified the rash as cowpox, and Sarah confirmed that one of her cows had recently been infected with the disease (“Vaccination”). Jenner tested his theory by infecting James Phipps, the son of his gardener, who had never been infected with smallpox or cowpox, with the material from the rash on Nelmes’ hand. After recovering from cowpox, Phipps was exposed to smallpox. However, due to his exposure to cowpox, “James did not develop smallpox on this occasion nor on the many subsequent occasions when his immunity was tested again” (“Vaccination”). Dr. Jenner had discovered that exposure to a less deadly or smaller amount of a disease could help the human body to fight off more dangerous illnesses. However, much like those who are fearful of today’s vaccines, many people opposed Jenner’s method, despite his research that proved exposure to a less dangerous disease could save lives from killers like smallpox.
Although purposely infecting oneself may seem unhealthy, this is the opposite of the truth. Vaccines are made up of the dead or weakened substances of a disease, known as antigens. These antigens are far less dangerous than the sickness itself as they cannot cause infection, but instead “prepare the body to fight disease without exposing it to disease symptoms” (Pappas). The body considers the substances in vaccines to be foreign invaders, and produces antibodies to combat the disease. After ridding the body of the disease introduced by the vaccine, many of the antibodies do begin to decay. Although, the immune cells that remain are able to recognize the threat when they encounter it again. These cells are able to produce antibodies rapidly, which can eliminate the enemy substance (Pappas). Essentially, the antigens that are introduced to the body via vaccines train the antibodies to fight off the disease they were once the cause of. The diseases themselves cannot cause harm or infection to the body, and actually help to strengthen it to combat future threats.
Vaccines help prepare the body to fight off diseases, but this process does not make one immune to all illness. Diseases are constantly evolving, meaning that antibodies will need to be trained to fight off different forms of antigens when they appear. The flu is perhaps the most skilled when it comes to evolving. It is able to mutate much faster than diseases such as mumps and polio (“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development”). During a flu epidemic, many people are able to gain immunity to the specific strain of flu virus. However, through natural selection, some particles of the virus have mutations that allow them to disguise themselves from antibodies. Because these strains are the most successful at entering the body undetected, millions of copies with the mutation are produced. This makes influenza very difficult to vaccinate for because the “flu evolves in response to the antibodies our bodies produce each year” (“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development”). Unlike other diseases that change very little, scientists must predict what strain of the flu we must be protected against. An individual is protected from diseases that have not evolved, such as measles, if they were vaccinated as a child. However, a different vaccine must be administered for influenza every year. These vaccines contain several different antigens that each protect against a different strain of the flu which are most likely to appear that year (“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development”). If one does not receive a yearly vaccination, they are at risk for being infected by the new form of the disease.
The myth that vaccines lead to autism was caused by the faulty research conducted in 1998. The person responsible for causing the fear that resulted in a huge decrease in the number of people protecting themselves against disease is Andrew Wakefield, a former gastroenterologist and medical researcher. Since Wakefield’s study, it has been discovered that the laboratory he used to conduct his experiment was set up in such a way that the plasmids maintaining the measles virus were contaminated because the lab had been used for polymerase chain reaction studies (Gorski). Because PCR is used to generate millions of copies of a certain DNA sequence, it would have easily amplified Wakefield’s results, making vaccines appear to be more dangerous than they are. This contamination of samples would also explain how “no scientist not associated with Andrew Wakefield has ever been able to replicate his work” (Gorski). Wakefield did not use correct procedures, and therefore was able to claim that his results suggested that vaccines were the cause of autism. Additionally, he is guilty of falsifying the medical reports of the children that were a part of his experiment (Gorski). Wakefield published his inaccurate findings in The Lancet, which is a medical journal published in the United Kingdom. Although his results were later discredited, the article describing Wakefield’s “study caused vaccination rates to plummet, resulting in a rise in measles” (Gorski). Wakefield’s license was revoked, and his article was retracted. However, people’s trust of vaccines had been too damaged, and Andrew Wakefield is responsible for marking lifesaving vaccines with the stigma of causing autism.
Perhaps Wakefield’s false results could be forgiven if he had conducted his experiment with the intention of protecting others from dangerous practices. However, this study was never meant to educate the general public. Instead, Wakefield was involved with several trial lawyers “who were interested in suing vaccine manufacturers, [for] £435,643 in fees, plus £3,910 expenses beginning even before his infamous ‘study’ started accruing patients” (Gorski). His study only occurred because Wakefield was paid by the UK Legal Aid Fund for his expert testimony against the manufacturers of MMR (a vaccine for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) in a class action lawsuit. Before his experiment even occurred, Wakefield himself had applied for a patent to produce his own version of the MMR vaccine (Gorski). From the beginning, Wakefield was greedy and had no intention of helping society. However, despite being proven wrong and discredited, Wakefield is held up as a martyr by those who believe his false accusations.
Along with fearing being injected with dead or dying antigens, those who are anti-vaccines fear any ingredients used in vaccines simply because these components sound threatening. Thimerosal, for example, was once attacked as the cause of autism. Thimerosal is actually a preservative that “is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose…to prevent growth of germs, like bacteria and fungi” (“Thimerosal in Vaccines”). Thimerosal was proven not to be the cause of autism. Instead, it is used to keep vaccines safe to use, and prevent further harm. Thimerosal also happens to contain an atom of mercury. Mercury is thought to be a dangerous substance that should be avoided at all cost. This is true for methylmercury. High exposure to methylmercury is toxic to humans, but even this more dangerous form of mercury is safe in small portions (“Thimerosal in Vaccines”). Methylmercury is actually found in several kinds of fish, including tuna. The mercury that Thimerosal contains is “ethylmercury, which is cleared from the human body more quickly than methylmercury, and is therefore less likely to cause any harm” (“Thimerosal in Vaccines”). All ingredients in vaccines are either harmless, or in small enough quantities that they cannot cause harm. It is impossible for vaccines to contain any ingredient that would cause harm to those who who receive them. Otherwise, these vaccines would not be legal to administer. Vaccines, like any other product intended for human consumption, must “undergo a rigorous review of laboratory and clinical data to ensure the safety, efficacy, purity and potency of these products” (“Vaccines”). The FDA will only approve vaccines that have been tested for safety and effectiveness. Even vaccines that have been approved may be subjected to further research. Some components may sound dangerous, but this is only because they are not understood.
It may seem that those who choose not to vaccinate are only harming themselves, and that it is their right to make this decision. However, choosing not to immunize oneself to disease actually has an effect on others. If there is a higher percentage of people who are protected from “a contagious disease, most members of the community are protected against that disease because there is little opportunity for an outbreak” (“Community Immunity (“Herd Immunity”)”). This is known as herd immunity, in which the vaccinated protect the unvaccinated. When others choose not to vaccinate, there are more people for a disease to infect. This can lead to an increase in the number of outbreaks. This may not seem threatening because those who do not vaccinate are making the choice to risk being infected by disease. It is believed that outbreaks would only affect those who are not vaccinated, while those who take precaution will be left unscathed. Those who are often not taken into consideration are the individuals who are not able to be vaccinated. Herd immunity is important, not only because it decreases the number of outbreaks of disease, but also because “it gives protection to vulnerable people such as newborn babies, elderly people and those who are too sick to be vaccinated” (“Herd Immunity (Community Immunity)”). A reduced risk of an outbreak is important to those who are not capable protecting themselves against one. Outbreaks of disease can kill many, but only if not enough people are vaccinated. This inability for diseases to spread could save the lives of those who are not able to vaccinate themselves due to age or health related reasons. Those who refuse to educate themselves about the vaccines and disease are putting others at risk. These people comfort themselves by preaching that vaccines are more dangerous than the disease they protect against, despite the fact that all evidence supports to the opposite.
Many dangerous diseases have been eradicated thanks to vaccines. However, as the movement to not vaccinate continues to gain support, diseases that were once dying off have been given the chance to thrive once more. When the “measles vaccine was licensed in 1962…the number of cases started to decline” (“Vaccines Are Effective”). As more and more people became immune to diseases, the antigens that caused them were unable to find hosts, and began to die out. Diseases could not spread between people who were vaccinated, meaning that, with so many immune to illness, outbreaks were not likely to occur. The increasing number of cases of once weakened diseases “is alarming, and mostly due to parents in the U.S. not vaccinating their kids” (Sifferlin). The number of possible targets for diseases to infect grows as the number of unvaccinated individuals does. Diseases can spread easily from person to person in large groups of those who are not immune. One disease that was thought to be dying out is whooping-cough. This disease was able to reemerge, and recently California had its worst outbreak of the disease. This outbreak “infected more than 9,000 people, [and] was also encouraged by a large number of kids who were unvaccinated” (Sifferlin). Parents may believe that they are preventing their children from having a harmful substance injected into their bodies. However, deadly diseases are the real danger to be aware of.
Although vaccines are not free of risk, they are not nearly as dangerous as those who advocate against them make them seem. Serious reactions to vaccines are extremely rare. A majority of this small number of side effects are as mild as redness, headaches, and fevers. As is true with any other form of medicine, vaccines “could cause a serious reaction. But the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small” (“Possible Side-effects from Vaccines”). Vaccines must stay within strict guidelines in order to be considered safe. This ensures that there will be a small number of unfavorable results. When compared to the number of lives that have been saved by vaccines, the amount of adverse effects is miniscule. The diseases that vaccines protect against are the real threats. The few, rare side effects of vaccines are eclipsed by the number of deaths and serious harm caused by disease. One must be able to assess the danger associated with the decision of vaccinating. Vaccines have very few possible outcomes that are unfavorable. These outcomes are extremely rare, and usually only cause slight discomfort. Disease, however, can lead to serious harm or even death. The risks of not being vaccinated outweigh those of not being protected against disease.
Most hate for vaccines stems from a fear of the unknown. Myths about side effects and components of vaccines that have never been heard of before sound dangerous, and can deter people from making the right decision. These unknown factors may seem frightening, but upon further investigation it is plain to see that vaccines pose no threat. All facts must be considered when making choices such as whether or not to vaccinate. Like a disease, fear and false information can be contagious. Each individual must educate themselves before making a decision of this magnitude. By doing so, a smarter community can be created to fend off the real dangers that life has to offer.
Work Cited
“Community Immunity (“Herd Immunity”).” Vaccines.gov. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 3 Mar. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
Gorski, David. “Antivaccine Hero Andrew Wakefield: Scientific Fraud?” Science-Based Medicine. Science-Based Medicine, 8 Feb. 2009. Web. 19 May 2016.
Gorski, David. “The General Medical Council to Andrew Wakefield.” Science-Based Medicine. Science-Based Medicine, 1 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 May 2016.
“Herd Immunity (Community Immunity).” Vaccine Knowledge Poject. Sarah Loving, 14 Apr. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
“Influenza, an Ever-Evolving Target for Vaccine Development.” Understanding Evolution. The University of California Museum of Paleontology, Feb. 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.
Pappas, Stephanie. “How Do Vaccines Work?” LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 1 July 2010. Web. 13 May 2016.
“Possible Side-effects from Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Mar. 2016. Web. 28 May 2016.
Sifferlin, Alexandra. “4 Diseases Making a Comeback Thanks to Anti-Vaxxers.” Time. Time, 17 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 May 2016.
“Thimerosal in Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Oct. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
“Vaccination.” Jennermuseum.com. Dr. Jenner’s House, 2016. Web. 13 May 2016.
“Vaccines Are Effective.” Vaccines.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 28 May 2016.
“Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Nov. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
“Vaccines.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 7 Aug. 2015. Web. 24 May 2016.
P.S. Your plan to get kids to join your “liberation” by standing outside schools and offering free stickers is the creepiest thing I have ever heard.
I appreciate you making the effort to write such long letter. Check this link and notice that the most recent study by the major pharmacuetical companies show that the mechanism to detox toxins from the body is immature in infants…until 3 years old. This is the newest information from a reliable pharma source:
https://vaccineliberationarmy.com/2015/05/27/inability-of-infants-to-metabolize-vaccine-excipients-cytochrome-p450/ The study is the PINK link within this link.
The excipients are what is in the vaccines that must have a mature Cytochrome P450 to detox otherwise infants are being poisoned at 49 vaccines doses by the age of six.
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The problems with the pro-vaccine positions are the following:
!. Vaccination is a for-profit industry, bankrolling doctors, who are richly paid to give vaccines, hospitals, also richly paid, and dependent on this income, politicians, who vote according to the amount of campaign contributions the pharmaceutical industry offers them, and the media, through huge advertising revenue.It’s about the money.
2. There have been NO SAFETY TESTS FOR ANY VACCINE using the standard placebo controls, where placebos are inert substances. With no valid safety tests, vaccines cannot be called drugs or medications. They are called “biologicals”…..a name created to get around this huge problem. When untested chemical/biological cocktails are force-injected in huge numbers of people, they are being used as test animals for the benefit of the vaccine makers.
3. The vaccine makers and those who administer them have no liability for the harm they have done. The damaged patients…….children and their families….must in effect sue the US dept. of Health and Human Services, and fight Dept. of Justice lawyers. Chances of obtaining any kind of meaningful compensation are almost nil.
4. In many states, force-vaccination is mandatory. The right to self-determination is ignored. Some politicians, and media, want to make free discussion about this issue illegal…..What happened to the First Amendment?
Re lengthy comment of 5/31/16. What is your name?