Vaccine Arguments

[alotofyarn]

Against my better judgment, I just argued with a friend on FB after she posted a comment about vaccinations. Do you argue with people, or just let them be?

For reference, this was the comment (last I knew, they were vaccinating their children but on a delayed schedule - they also had their babies at home):

I don't think I've shared our vaccination decisions on FB and probably will not (soon anyway) because people on both sides of the fence get so ugly about it. We do a lot of research before we come to a decision about each one on the schedule. This study conducted by the FDA offers some food for thought when you hear the argument that those who do not get their child vaccinated are guilty of spreading disease. Spoiler alert: the vaccinated subjects in this study were found to contract the infection and transmit the disease. Un-vaccinated children, adults (immunity does not last forever for most diseases and sometimes not at all depending on personal biological factors), and vaccinated children all spread disease. This is not an argument for or against vaccination, but please take this info into account before jumping on the "anti-vaxxers are going to kill my child" train.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896208/

My response:

There's a commentary in the same issue that refutes a lot of points from the article. Also, this is a single study about one vaccine in baboons, so I'd be careful to make decisions about all vaccines for humans based on it. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3932918/

[Vanquisher]

http://bostonwed-murakami.blogspot.c...ve_26.html?m=1

Love this blog.


Heidi

[WolfpackWife]

^^ Yeah that's basically the only post you need. By far the most comprehensive explanation with TONS of resources provided I've seen.

[poky]

I just heard this on the way in to work this morning, it cracked me up. The British perspective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YCGMqp6kBE

[Vanquisher]

Love it, [MENTION=1049]poky[/MENTION]!


Heidi

[alotofyarn]

Yah, I've read that post and like it, [MENTION=1013]Vanquisher[/MENTION]. I didn't want to start an argument with this friend, but I knew she didn't understand the article she posted - I barely understood it, and critically reading literature is part of my job. She posted a really long response and I haven't decided how to respond. I know I'm not going to change her mind, but she got a lot of likes, and I didn't want anybody else running with that article using it to make claims that it doesn't support.

[diggitydot]

Lisa Murakami's blog post is fabulous.

You're unlikely to change anyone's mind, but challenging bullshit so it doesn't spread to others as easily is always a good idea. I think you did it well and as kindly as possible.