What Exactly DO You Know About Vaccines?

 This is an excellent article. I know it's a bit longer than most articles, but it is easy to read while still providing a clear overview of the science. I highly recommend bookmarking this site to read it and refer to it.

http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/challenging-the-theory-of-artificial-immunity.html

It also reminded me that in this issue, so few people know:

1) what the immune system is and how it works
2) what vaccines are and how they work

Most people don't even know what is in vaccines or even what the vaccine names (MMR, PCV) mean. In fact, I've had people refuse to believe that vaccines contain replicated cell lines from aborted humans ( in 10 vaccines in the US) or that mercury is still in some vaccines (in trace amount in several, and in substantial amounts in some flu vaccines).

For example, most people who vaccinate have never bothered to even look at the CDC's reported disease list. I like to look at it once a week and encourage everyone to check up on it:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_wk.html

And then, whether the ultimate choice is to vaccinate or remain vaccine-free, most parents still express fear about dying from vaccine-related illnesses. But how many have checked out the actual death rates and not the media-hyped figures tossed around?

http://wonder.cdc.gov/

And how many people spend a little time reading through the reported adverse reactions for the particular vaccine they are considering? This search tool will break down the VAERS site, which is run by the FDA and CDC:

http://www.medalerts.org/.

I wonder how many vaccinating parents ever think to ask for the ACTUAL manufacturer inserts that come with each vaccine. They should be saved along with the insurance bill in your child's file in case your child experiences an adverse reaction. Fortunately, the manufacturers do not hide anything. You can read all of THEIR information. Just pick the vaccine you want and click:

http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm


Perhaps the most shocking cliche is how many parents adamantly defend vaccines and choose to vaccinate their children, yet completely ignore the American Academy of Pediatrics advice on rearfacing children in carseats. The AAP states:

"They should remain rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer."

The NHTSA also claims more than 80% of carseats are installed incorrectly. In 2008, more than 250,000 children were severely injured (disabled) in car accidents, and 10% of those injured children went on to die.

The CDC says:

"Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S.1 But many of these deaths can be prevented. Placing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half.2 "

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/childpas.htm

So hundreds of children die from car accidents and not using carseats correctly. But parents run out to vaccinate their children to the hilt for diseases that were declining/disappearing long before vaccine introduction...and diseases that don't automatically KILL.

Sounds stupid to me but what do I know...I'm just a crazy person out there who likes to exaggerate data.