Scientific Literature of Vaccinations: Scientific Literature of Vaccinations

***DISCLAIMER***: ***DISCLAIMER*** Biology – Study of organisms Chemistry – Study of Elements Neurology – Study of the Brain Genetics – Study of DNA Toxicology – Study of diseases/immunity Statistics – Study of correlative data Please be aware that it is entirely unreasonable to be an expert in the culmination of these studies, so even detailed debates can be expected to have unavoidably indiscussable content. Being that the topic is inherently extremely complicated, it is expected (and partly necessary) to develop a naive understanding of points of data and how they relate across the many fields of study. Misinterpretation of data is guaranteed, especially if fear-driven. NO ONE is stupid for what they believe about this, especially if it's not what you believe. Vaccine discussions delve into several broad fields of study, like… Politics – Allocation of resources Psychology – Study of the Mind Sociology – Study of collective s ociety Human Rights – Fundamental morality Communication – Information transaction Logic – How to analyze relevant information

Discovery of Vaccination: Discovery of Vaccination During the peak of the smallpox era in 1796, English doctor Edward Jenner made landmark observations of dairy maids that were previously infected with cowpox (less intense version of same-family deadly smallpox). These dairy maids were always immune to smallpox after a prior cowpox infection, a discovery which paved the way for infection preventative vaccination [c1.1]

How Immunization Works: How Immunization Works The adaptive immune system registers an infection, collects and indexes a virus’s biological code, generates antibodies, then combats the infectious virus. Even after infection, the virus’s code is permanently indexed in a person’s immune system. This is why you get sick with a specific viral disease only once [c1.2]

Conflict: Solution distracted from the problem: Conflict: Solution distracted from the problem Many treatments have some form of side effect. When a treatment to a recurring problem is used, it can get to the point that the problem is not obviously prevalent This does not mean that the treatment is not necessary anymore, but people tend to end or reject treatment once problems aren't obvious enough - because treatments' side effects become more obvious than the problem they prevent [c1.3]

1904 Vaccine Revolt: 1904 Vaccine Revolt Brazilian government militantly enforces vaccination (Poor choice) Citizens, in fear of publicized vaccine skepticism, successfully revolt. Govt. backs down Smallpox epidemic Citizens seek treatment and vaccination, which successfully quells the outbreak [c1.4]

Source of the Controversy: Source of the Controversy 1998 Study by Andrew Wakefield Lawyer Richard Barr scripts a contract with Wakefield to conduct a study for the goal of “discovering a new syndrome” Purpose was to sue the producers of the MMR vaccine Despite being retracted, this study had detrimental consequences on society (People are over-generally rejecting vaccines) [c1.5]

Common Arguments Against Vaccines: Common Arguments Against Vaccines

“Vaccines Cause Autism”: “Vaccines Cause Autism” This claim initially comes from fraudulent, improperly conducted research by Wakefield (results never replicated, publisher retracted) Hundreds of independent, international research results consistently find no link No scientific model explains how this is possible Even if this were true (it’s not) Autism < Measles outbreak [c2.1]

“My child was diagnosed with autism right after vaccination”: “My child was diagnosed with autism right after vaccination” The vaccine schedule happens to coincide with the age in which autism symptoms become concrete for diagnosis (correlation is not causation) No trend exists between vaccinated kids with autism and unvaccinated kids without autism [c2.1] [c2.5]

“Autism diagnosis went up when vaccine usage went up”: “Autism diagnosis went up when vaccine usage went up” Correlation is not causation Diagnostic increase also correlates with increased number of movie sequels. By the same line of reasoning; sequels cause autism The actual cause can be attributed to a broadening of Autism’s criteria, which includes less specified behavior. Therefore, more people are included in diagnostic criteria [c2.2]

“A number of Doctors are coming out against vaccines”: “A number of Doctors are coming out against vaccines” Inflation of conflict; these doctors are extremely few in numbers Most of these doctors are also selling books and “natural remedies” (motive) Any idea, no matter the absurdity, will have “professionals” that support it Their research is typically flawed [c2.5]

“Doctors/scientists support vaccines because they are paid by pharmaceutical companies/the government”: “Doctors/scientists support vaccines because they are paid by pharmaceutical companies/the government” This argument ignores the data, and does nothing to address how studies may have been modified or flawed A huge portion of vaccine research comes from independent scientists who are working out of universities, and are funded by grants that they apply for Proponents typically do not question sources that support their cause, or address their flaws [c2.5]

“Vaccines are a tool to make money”: “Vaccines are a tool to make money” Vaccine makes less than 2% of medical industry income Many are single use preventative measures Vaccines can be ~$100, but the disease it prevents ( e .g., measles) can cause hospitalizations costing well over $100,000. If money is the goal, the Govt. is very ineffective This argument equally applies to fear-fueled Antivax propaganda (money motivated) (Big Pharma actually supports the antivaccination movement) [c2.6] [c2.7] [c3.1] [c3.3]

“Vaccinate your own child, why is it an issue if my child is unvaccinated?”: “Vaccinate your own child, why is it an issue if my child is unvaccinated?” If my child is vaccinated, that doesn’t change the fact that your child is at risk of being infected, as well as spreading the infection If my child is not able to be vaccinated because of a health complication (e.g., immunocompromisation ), then your child puts my child at risk. The difference is that I can’t act, but you choose not to, and my child is in greater danger for it. [c2.8]

“Why should I be vaccinated if everyone else is?”: “Why should I be vaccinated if everyone else is?” You are relying on Herd Immunity, which is difficult to maintain, especially when a portion holds this exact belief. Nothing, including vaccination, is purely 100% effective (really 95-98%). Total vaccination will account for the rare failure Some cannot be vaccinated, like immunocompromised folks. Their lives depend on Herd Immunity [c2.8]

“Diseases were eliminated for non-vaccine reasons”: “Diseases were eliminated for non-vaccine reasons” Sanitation reforms vary in time frame all across many countries. Disease rates did not uniformly decline worldwide with improved sanitation Immunity via natural infection poses the risk of serious adverse effects. This also does not maintain Herd Immunity This approach is reactive, not preventative, so this narrative relies on the cost of many lives (what’s the intent again?) Disease’s decline rates are consistently associated with available vaccination [c2.3] [c2.4] [c2.5]

“I know someone who got the disease and came out fine, natural immunity wins”: “I know someone who got the disease and came out fine, natural immunity wins” Some people come out okay. Some die This is anecdotal. Statistically, there can be many more failures than successes regardless of your own experience Natural immunity is the same as inoculated immunity. The only difference is deactivated viral symptoms [c1.2]

“Vaccines have documented side effects”: “ Vaccines have documented side effects ” True, but they differ greatly by vaccine, and are usually very rare for most tested vaccines Many studies have been conducted for the ad hoc purpose of discrediting vaccines, especially to promote “natural alternatives” Oddly, antivaxers who debate will insist you “read the insert”, which are published by the same companies whose studies declare vaccines safe. (Inconsistent resource reliability)

“Thimerosal/Mercury in vaccines is dangerous”: “ Thimerosal /Mercury in vaccines is dangerous” Dosage makes hazard, not the chemical. Water kills with enough consumed There are 1,000x more mercury in a can of tuna than any modern vaccine, but there's no mass anti-tuna movement Citations for this are dated, Thimerosal's effective presence was removed in 2001 from any vaccine Thimerosal was never in specifically the MMR vaccine (yet some claim thimerosal caused autism) Studies show no link between autism and Thimerosal [c2.5]

“Aluminum in vaccines is unsafe”: “Aluminum in vaccines is unsafe” Again, Chemicals don’t kill, dosage does -6 months vaccine schedule: 4 milligrams -6 months of breastfeeding: 10 milligrams -6 months of baby formula: 40 milligrams All of these are negligibly low levels. There is also no anti-formula movement [c2.5]

“Formaldehyde in vaccines is dangerous”: “Formaldehyde in vaccines is dangerous” Reminder: Dosage makes the hazard, not chemical Fruits you eat naturally produce formaldehyde, and so does your own body. Yet there is no anti-fruit movement If the claim is that the formaldehyde came from an industrial process, this is irrelevant, chemicals are universal (unless we're discussing remnant substances of the process, then it's an entirely different discussion (these are accounted for anyway) ) [c2.5]

“The #1 source of Polio is the Polio vaccine”: “The #1 source of Polio is the Polio vaccine” While true, current worldwide diagnosis rates is in the hundreds, while pre-vaccine era infection rates were in the millions. Cost vs benefit still favors heavily toward vaccination [c2.4] [c2.5]

“Italian Court ruled a boy’s autism was cause by the MMR vaccine”: “Italian Court ruled a boy’s autism was cause by the MMR vaccine” This ruling was based solely off of fraudulent research, like Wakefield’s, and ignored an enormous scientific consensus that disagrees Several other National courts ruled in opposition to this Court system is not science [c2.9] [c3.1]

The Anti-Vaccination Movement: The Anti-Vaccination Movement

1998 Andrew Wakefield Study: 1998 Andrew Wakefield Study Wakefield received an end total of £435,643 ($750,000) for his contract with Richard Barr (8x his hourly wage) Only 12 subjects All children preselected (non-random) No control Modified published documents Refused to repeat study with larger sample Supported “single measles vaccine” after study [c3.1]

Why believe in antivaccination?: Why believe in antivaccination ? Type I vs Type II error (Better safe than sorry) Dunning-Kruger Effect (Backwards confidence) Curse Of Knowledge (Intellectual discrepancy) Solution Aversion (Bad solution, no problem) End Of History Illusion (False Change-Permanence) Bias fulfillment/Logical Fallacies (Skewed argument) Universal Anticipatory Suspicion (Full skeptic) “Cry Conspiracy” (Reject conflicting data) [c3.4] [c3.5] [c3.6] [c3.7] [c3.8]

Antivax sources fundamentally inconsistent with facts: Antivax sources fundamentally inconsistent with facts Jenny McCarthy said her son was cured of autism with antibiotics, and his symptoms went away after he defecated yeast Thimerosal levels’ questionability was a thing, but has been rectified. Antivaxers don't acknowledge this, or the fact that it was never in specifically the MMR vaccine Some claim natural immunity is better than inoculation. The immunological process is identical ( biocode copypaste ), except for symptoms (like death) Some deny that any diseases have been eradicated at all, claiming exposure caused a superior natural immunity to develop (did not, hive resistance is not hive immunity) Antivaxers typically urge "read the insert to see what I'm talking about". Inserts are produced by the same industry whose studies declare vaccine safe (inconsistent trust) [c2.5] [c2.3]

Cognitive Biases: Cognitive Biases A bias is a personal tendency to seek/interpret information without strict regard for content “Explanatory Style” is someone’s usual approach to analyzing a situation Can find irrelevant information as relevant, and relevant information as irrelevant Not normally intentional

Correlation and Confirmation Bias: Correlation and Confirmation Bias Since vaccine application takes place in the same time frame as emerging autism symptoms, and no full explanation for autism exists, parents seek recent events for a cause. Blame is not always necessary, but usually assigned accordingly When someone concludes a link, that conclusion is affirmed when they find other anecdotes and information that agree with their conclusion Attempting to challenge an antivax worldview has proven counterproductive. Disagreeing with someone makes them believe their ideas more [c3.10]

Negativity Bias: Negativity Bias “Bad” information has a greater, longer lasting impact than “good” information Abnormal or shocking data tends to be quicker received and held onto longer than normal or beneficial information Public media makes people think the world is worse than it really is, and stereotypes are still prevalent. These examples disregard “normal” occurrences and how often they actually happen. This makes it incredibly difficult to uproot such a view [c3.11]

Omission Bias: Omission Bias When given an option of inaction vs action, and there is a lack of total clarity in the choice, the initial response is to take inaction Anticipation of regret; harmful action is weighed more heavily than equally harmful inaction As stated in the disclaimer, vaccine research is some of the most complicated independent studying anyone can do. It is effectively impossible to be 100% certain with vaccines, so rejection becomes very likely (On the same token, it is impossible to be 100% sure that driving won’t kill you. This difference is how optional it seems to not be , so it’s not typically subject to omission) [c3.12] [c3.9]

Risk Perception: Risk Perception If a clear immediate risk is pitted against a vague gradual risk, then the response is to take action against the risk that’s “obvious”, or “closer to home” Risk of autism is weighed much more heavily than risk of deadly infections because people today are not seeing the effects of said deadly diseases. (This is ironically due to vaccines ) [c3.13]

“Natural” Bias: “Natural” Bias Belief that a nature origin is inherently healthier or more advantageous than a human created origin Studies show that when people are asked about a natural or lab created chemical compound, people prefer natural (even if they are molecularly identical ) [c3.14]

Questionable Antivax Motives: Questionable Antivax Motives Wakefield, 6 months before his 1998 research was published, filed a patent for a single Measles vaccine. Dr. Mercola ; sensationalizes misinformation, inconsistently rationalizes, and fabricates research findings to favor a “naturalistic alternative” market Antivax crowd very emotionally driven, therefore, a very lucrative marketing audience [c3.1] [c3.2] [c3.3]

Questionable Antivax Motives: Questionable Antivax Motives Dwoskin Family Foundation Claims “autism’s devastation” not worth the costs Manifesto rooted in death of a loved one Katlyn Fox Foundation Persuasion via child death appeal Outputs biased misinformation [c3.2]

Antivaxers: who does that include?: Antivaxers : who does that include? There appears to be a link between antivaccination and being scientifically illiterate Moon Landing Deniers Scientologists Eugenics Alarmists UFO Cultists Climate Change Deniers General Conspiracy Theorists [c3.4]

What can we do for the best outcome?: What can we do for the best outcome? Promote scientific literacy Properly research vaccine before use Respect everyone’s view. Shame isolates you Challenge your own view, less others Eliminate easy vaccine exemption (not all) (States where it’s easier to exempt have lower vaccination rates)