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Vaccine Epidemic: How Corporate Greed, Biased Science, and Coercive Government Threaten Our Human Rights, Our Health, and Our Children
National polls show that Americans are increasingly concerned about vaccine safety and the right to make individual, informed choices together with their healthcare practitioners. Vaccine Epidemic focuses on the searing debate surrounding individual and parental vaccination choice in the United States. Featuring more than twenty experts from the fields of ethics, law, science, medicine, business, and history, Vaccine Epidemic urgently calls for reform. It is the essential handbook for the vaccination choice movement and required reading for all people contemplating vaccination for themselves and their children. Louise Kuo Habakus and Mary Holland edit and introduce a diverse array of interrelated topics concerning the explosive vaccine controversy, including:
• The human right to vaccination choice
• The ethics and constitutionality of vaccination mandates
• Personal narratives of parents, children, and soldiers who have suffered vaccine injury
• Vaccine safety science and evidence-based medicine
• Corrupting conflicts of interest in the national vaccine program
• What should parents do? A review of eight advice books on vaccines that span the gamut.
• The human right to vaccination choice
• The ethics and constitutionality of vaccination mandates
• Personal narratives of parents, children, and soldiers who have suffered vaccine injury
• Vaccine safety science and evidence-based medicine
• Corrupting conflicts of interest in the national vaccine program
• What should parents do? A review of eight advice books on vaccines that span the gamut.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 23, 2022
This is one of the worst books I ever read dealing with the topic of vaccination. Nobody can blame you if you feel like the belligerent, charlatan writing style seems like a callow pursuit to beset Medicine. Just look at the way the authors are lambasting the whole concept of vaccination.
Their clandestine attempt to substantiate their claims with the help of Dr. Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent 1998 retracted Lancet research makes things even worse. Some of us can indeed have side effects when we are administered vaccines. But it doesn't give you the right to belabor the dangers of vaccination for more than 500 pages and make innocent people petrified to even think about vaccines.
Please check the links given below to know more about the benefits of vaccination and threats caused by anti-vaxxers.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-...
https://www.nature.com/articles/d4158...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
"Is there a common factor contributing to the epidemic of illness among children today? What touches almost all children today and likely contributes to the plethora of chronic diseases are 70 doses of 16 vaccines."
Their clandestine attempt to substantiate their claims with the help of Dr. Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent 1998 retracted Lancet research makes things even worse. Some of us can indeed have side effects when we are administered vaccines. But it doesn't give you the right to belabor the dangers of vaccination for more than 500 pages and make innocent people petrified to even think about vaccines.
Please check the links given below to know more about the benefits of vaccination and threats caused by anti-vaxxers.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-...
https://www.nature.com/articles/d4158...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...
February 2, 2022
Another idiotic anti-vax book recommended to me by Amazon. This article, by a real doctor, pretty well sums this up.
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/201...
Here's a good excerpt that gets to the heart of the problem:
"...Personally, though, I love how Habakus and Holland assert:
Vaccine Epidemic is pro-human rights, pro-science, and pro-justice for those injured by vaccination. The book is not anti-vaccine; it upholds the right to choose and affirms the international human rights standard of free and informed consent to all medical interventions."
Which is a load of fetid dingo’s kidneys. I’ve read one chapter from the book, e-mailed to me by the publicist. It’s a defense of Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent research leading to his infamous, now-retracted Lancet paper in 1998. It’s chock full of the typical misrepresentations, attacks on Brian Deer, and other nonsense that we’ve come to know (and have contempt for) coming from Wakefield groupies...."
Standard Disclaimer
Look at what shelves this book is on. If it is 'did-not-finish' then I tried it & didn't like it. No, I do not have to finish a book to give it a star rating or a review. If you don't like that, tough. Have a nice day.
If the book is on my 'do-not-read' shelf then it was shoved under my nose or something about it made me think I might want to read it. I did some research & found that it was crap. I'll post why I think so & might even rate it with 1 star if it is really bad. If you disagree & want to discuss in the comments, you need to prove that it isn't with solid evidence. That means peer reviewed science, not anecdotes, opinions, or sites that are biased. Read the Debunking Handbook which is available for free here & follow its guidelines for providing proof. I'm willing to look at good evidence. I've been wrong before.
Comments that don't adhere to the above will be deleted. We're not going to change our minds if you just want to troll. If you repeatedly troll, your comment will be flagged & support will spank you. I may block you, too.
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/201...
Here's a good excerpt that gets to the heart of the problem:
"...Personally, though, I love how Habakus and Holland assert:
Vaccine Epidemic is pro-human rights, pro-science, and pro-justice for those injured by vaccination. The book is not anti-vaccine; it upholds the right to choose and affirms the international human rights standard of free and informed consent to all medical interventions."
Which is a load of fetid dingo’s kidneys. I’ve read one chapter from the book, e-mailed to me by the publicist. It’s a defense of Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent research leading to his infamous, now-retracted Lancet paper in 1998. It’s chock full of the typical misrepresentations, attacks on Brian Deer, and other nonsense that we’ve come to know (and have contempt for) coming from Wakefield groupies...."
Standard Disclaimer
Look at what shelves this book is on. If it is 'did-not-finish' then I tried it & didn't like it. No, I do not have to finish a book to give it a star rating or a review. If you don't like that, tough. Have a nice day.
If the book is on my 'do-not-read' shelf then it was shoved under my nose or something about it made me think I might want to read it. I did some research & found that it was crap. I'll post why I think so & might even rate it with 1 star if it is really bad. If you disagree & want to discuss in the comments, you need to prove that it isn't with solid evidence. That means peer reviewed science, not anecdotes, opinions, or sites that are biased. Read the Debunking Handbook which is available for free here & follow its guidelines for providing proof. I'm willing to look at good evidence. I've been wrong before.
Comments that don't adhere to the above will be deleted. We're not going to change our minds if you just want to troll. If you repeatedly troll, your comment will be flagged & support will spank you. I may block you, too.
August 20, 2013
Thank you for reading my book. I had to privilege to be a co-editor, and to work closely with 30 extraordinary contributing authors.
This is the book I wish I had started to read in high school, as I was beginning to push the boundaries of who I was and what I believed to be true.
Whenever vaccines were offered to me--during annual physicals, while studying political science in Paris, at employer-sponsored clinics--I said yes.
Whenever vaccines were offered to my children, I said yes.
With bite-sized chapters, this book is meant to interrupt the reflex. Short enough to hold your attention. Long enough to pause and consider the idea of choice.
Your choice.
No matter who you are, I can all but guarantee there's information in the book that you do not know, and that you deserve to know. Before you decide.
Somehow, when it comes to vaccination, the idea of choice has become radical and subject to public scrutiny and opprobrium.
A few of the chapters are academic; they demonstrate to thoughtful and inquiring readers that there is meaningful scholarship about weighty and complex issues that must not be dismissed with the wave of a label (anti-vaccine!) or a put-down (denialist! anti-science!).
But many of the chapters are accessible and inviting. The authors are personally vulnerable, professionally generous, and above all, immensely thoughtful about the profound challenges faced by us all, as we step outside our comfort zone, to talk about the issues that matter most. These include our fundamental rights, fairness and justice, health and wellness, biological integrity, parental love, and our shared responsibility to the generations who succeed us.
This is the book I wish I had started to read in high school, as I was beginning to push the boundaries of who I was and what I believed to be true.
Whenever vaccines were offered to me--during annual physicals, while studying political science in Paris, at employer-sponsored clinics--I said yes.
Whenever vaccines were offered to my children, I said yes.
With bite-sized chapters, this book is meant to interrupt the reflex. Short enough to hold your attention. Long enough to pause and consider the idea of choice.
Your choice.
No matter who you are, I can all but guarantee there's information in the book that you do not know, and that you deserve to know. Before you decide.
Somehow, when it comes to vaccination, the idea of choice has become radical and subject to public scrutiny and opprobrium.
A few of the chapters are academic; they demonstrate to thoughtful and inquiring readers that there is meaningful scholarship about weighty and complex issues that must not be dismissed with the wave of a label (anti-vaccine!) or a put-down (denialist! anti-science!).
But many of the chapters are accessible and inviting. The authors are personally vulnerable, professionally generous, and above all, immensely thoughtful about the profound challenges faced by us all, as we step outside our comfort zone, to talk about the issues that matter most. These include our fundamental rights, fairness and justice, health and wellness, biological integrity, parental love, and our shared responsibility to the generations who succeed us.
September 8, 2012
This is a good read and an even greater reference book. It goes into both sides of the argument and it becomes very apparent very quickly that the anti-vaccine group have documented evidence and science and the pro-vaccine people base their arguments on fear and ignorance.
Don't read this book and the consequences of vaccinating are the exclusive responsibility of you and yours.
You will always have the option of vaccinating but never have the same option to UN-vaccinate.
Don't read this book and the consequences of vaccinating are the exclusive responsibility of you and yours.
You will always have the option of vaccinating but never have the same option to UN-vaccinate.
August 8, 2016
*Warning; an anti-vaxxer's scathing diatribe incoming*
A book every American needs to read, especially with an open mind. The vaccine debate is one of the, if not the most, controversial and contentious topic in the United States (and the world because of its pernicious implications). The average American blindly believes vaccines are safe--but how can they not? They have been brainwashed and indoctrinated with this kind of information since a young age by the government and Big Pharma; also, there have been many "studies" done (by Big Pharma) proving that vaccines are undeniably safe, and is in no way in connection to the precipitous rise of autism and other neurological disorders.
Most people don't realize that these "studies" are done chiefly by pharmaceutical companies who make the actual vaccine product. Now why would these companies truthfully conduct studies if their vaccines are safe or not when they have all to lose financially from any negative results? Remember, they are all in it for the money and not for the public health.
The majority of vaccine studies are ghostwritten and biased in favor of Big Pharma. There has NEVER been a randomized, placebo-controlled double blind study of the safety of vaccines between the unvaccinated and vaccinated conducted by the government and Big Pharma. This is the most important study in truly determining the safety of vaccines; but of course, Big Pharma, in collusion with the government, would never allow such a thing. What are they trying to hide in this type of study? They sure are adamant that such a study never be conducted.
Ironically, the Merck Manual, which is the best-selling medical textbook of conventional medicine, stated itself that vaccines can cause encephalopathy--which is brain damaged that alters brain function and strucutre. So here we have the bible of conventional medicine stating that vaccines can cause brain damage, yet pro-vaxxers still can't see through the illusion. So what do they believe in? You just can't argue with these people--"you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink."
There have been NUMEROUS of INDEPENDENT studies, as provided by this book, showing, with undeniable, evidence based medicine (EBM), that vaccines cause neurological damage with the panoply of deleterious ingredients in the concoction (Formaldehyde, Mercury, Aluminum, Sorbital, MSG, and many more). The autism rate DIRECTLY correlates with the increase in vaccine inoculations; yes, pro-vaxxers go on inane diatribes against anti-vaxxers proudly stating that "correlation does not equal causation". Yet they fail to clear their clouds of cognitive dissonance and think critically, open-mindedly, that there have been myriads of INDEPENDENT studies decrying the dangers of vaccines.
Even common sense would illuminate that something is awry. What else can contribute to such a rise in autism? Pro-vaxxers usually state genetics is the cause, but they, again, fail to realize there have been many studies done on the genetic basis of autism and there have been no findings of such a causation.
Another argument pro-vaxxers usually arm themselves with is that vaccines eradicated diseases; BUT if they actually did some research they will find that these diseases were in decline BEFORE the mass implementation of vaccines. The chief reason for the decline of the diseases is widespread sanitation practices, hygiene, and cleaner food and drinks. Again, critical thinking is something that is dearth in pro-vaxxers.
Also, if vaccines are so EFFECTIVE, then why do pro-vaxxers blame anti-vaxxers for an"outbreak" (media sensationalism at its best) if these vaccines are "proven effective"? Why are you worried if your inoculated child is protected from such diseases? Such double standard and vilification of anti-vaxxers is the most anti-intellectual thing that can exist. Yet, they continue to mindlessly trust our government and the pseudo-intellectual vaccine studies conducted by Big Pharma charlatans. Cognitive dissonance at its finest.
Big Pharma is the most powerful lobbying force in the U.S government. They literally give jobs and "financial bonuses" (revolving door) to government officials and regulators for passing laws that protect vaccine manufactures from liability, mandating vaccines for children entering public school, and approving the production HUNDREDS of new vaccines against diseases that infinitesimally rare. This will never stop. The financial impetus for vaccines is too powerful. Only when lobbying is illegal will this stop.
Look, I understand why pro-vaxxers are the way they are, psychologically. It's natural--it's cognitive dissonance. It's close-mindedness. It's dogmatic thinking. This type of thinking prevents any critical exegesis of anything. It's the reason why our government is so corrupt. It's the reason we have two narcissists, who are in it for financial self-interest, are the leading candidates for presidential nomination. To truly move forward as a nation, we need to stop this dogmatic thinking. We need to all examine ANYTHING and EVERYTHING critically, to look at both sides of the equations, objectively, even if it means you have to attack personally held beliefs.
The vaccine epidemic is just beginning. I believe only when autism rates reach 1 in out every 2 kids will fanatical pro-vaxxers open their eyes to the truth. Ignorance is bliss. The comforting lies are favored instead of the harsh truth. I don't see how people cannot see through the lies. I don't mean to sound like I'm denigrating for such persons, but I must vent against such inane apathy and ardent fanaticism. Then again, I'm not surprised. It's simply the human condition. It's quite sad because the "people", the "majority", or the "99%" literally have all the power. If we just get together and forget our political and ideological differences can we make changes in the flawed legislative system we have; unfortunately, Americans literally hate each other. We are so segregated. This is the unfortunate product of a heterogeneous country and mass brainwashing from the media and society in general.
America was founded upon the belief of freedom. Yet we continue to mandate vaccines. If this is not unconstitutional, then what is? Do personal rights not matter anymore in this country? At the very least vaccines should be pro-choice despite whether it is dangerous or not. It's my body and only I choose what I want to put in it.
I fear for the future of this beautiful country and the innocent kids who will be our leaders of this country. Autism and neurological disorders will become the norm if this madness of mandating vaccines doesn't stop; no not even about mandates, but about when vaccines are truly shown their true colors.
A book every American needs to read, especially with an open mind. The vaccine debate is one of the, if not the most, controversial and contentious topic in the United States (and the world because of its pernicious implications). The average American blindly believes vaccines are safe--but how can they not? They have been brainwashed and indoctrinated with this kind of information since a young age by the government and Big Pharma; also, there have been many "studies" done (by Big Pharma) proving that vaccines are undeniably safe, and is in no way in connection to the precipitous rise of autism and other neurological disorders.
Most people don't realize that these "studies" are done chiefly by pharmaceutical companies who make the actual vaccine product. Now why would these companies truthfully conduct studies if their vaccines are safe or not when they have all to lose financially from any negative results? Remember, they are all in it for the money and not for the public health.
The majority of vaccine studies are ghostwritten and biased in favor of Big Pharma. There has NEVER been a randomized, placebo-controlled double blind study of the safety of vaccines between the unvaccinated and vaccinated conducted by the government and Big Pharma. This is the most important study in truly determining the safety of vaccines; but of course, Big Pharma, in collusion with the government, would never allow such a thing. What are they trying to hide in this type of study? They sure are adamant that such a study never be conducted.
Ironically, the Merck Manual, which is the best-selling medical textbook of conventional medicine, stated itself that vaccines can cause encephalopathy--which is brain damaged that alters brain function and strucutre. So here we have the bible of conventional medicine stating that vaccines can cause brain damage, yet pro-vaxxers still can't see through the illusion. So what do they believe in? You just can't argue with these people--"you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink."
There have been NUMEROUS of INDEPENDENT studies, as provided by this book, showing, with undeniable, evidence based medicine (EBM), that vaccines cause neurological damage with the panoply of deleterious ingredients in the concoction (Formaldehyde, Mercury, Aluminum, Sorbital, MSG, and many more). The autism rate DIRECTLY correlates with the increase in vaccine inoculations; yes, pro-vaxxers go on inane diatribes against anti-vaxxers proudly stating that "correlation does not equal causation". Yet they fail to clear their clouds of cognitive dissonance and think critically, open-mindedly, that there have been myriads of INDEPENDENT studies decrying the dangers of vaccines.
Even common sense would illuminate that something is awry. What else can contribute to such a rise in autism? Pro-vaxxers usually state genetics is the cause, but they, again, fail to realize there have been many studies done on the genetic basis of autism and there have been no findings of such a causation.
Another argument pro-vaxxers usually arm themselves with is that vaccines eradicated diseases; BUT if they actually did some research they will find that these diseases were in decline BEFORE the mass implementation of vaccines. The chief reason for the decline of the diseases is widespread sanitation practices, hygiene, and cleaner food and drinks. Again, critical thinking is something that is dearth in pro-vaxxers.
Also, if vaccines are so EFFECTIVE, then why do pro-vaxxers blame anti-vaxxers for an"outbreak" (media sensationalism at its best) if these vaccines are "proven effective"? Why are you worried if your inoculated child is protected from such diseases? Such double standard and vilification of anti-vaxxers is the most anti-intellectual thing that can exist. Yet, they continue to mindlessly trust our government and the pseudo-intellectual vaccine studies conducted by Big Pharma charlatans. Cognitive dissonance at its finest.
Big Pharma is the most powerful lobbying force in the U.S government. They literally give jobs and "financial bonuses" (revolving door) to government officials and regulators for passing laws that protect vaccine manufactures from liability, mandating vaccines for children entering public school, and approving the production HUNDREDS of new vaccines against diseases that infinitesimally rare. This will never stop. The financial impetus for vaccines is too powerful. Only when lobbying is illegal will this stop.
Look, I understand why pro-vaxxers are the way they are, psychologically. It's natural--it's cognitive dissonance. It's close-mindedness. It's dogmatic thinking. This type of thinking prevents any critical exegesis of anything. It's the reason why our government is so corrupt. It's the reason we have two narcissists, who are in it for financial self-interest, are the leading candidates for presidential nomination. To truly move forward as a nation, we need to stop this dogmatic thinking. We need to all examine ANYTHING and EVERYTHING critically, to look at both sides of the equations, objectively, even if it means you have to attack personally held beliefs.
The vaccine epidemic is just beginning. I believe only when autism rates reach 1 in out every 2 kids will fanatical pro-vaxxers open their eyes to the truth. Ignorance is bliss. The comforting lies are favored instead of the harsh truth. I don't see how people cannot see through the lies. I don't mean to sound like I'm denigrating for such persons, but I must vent against such inane apathy and ardent fanaticism. Then again, I'm not surprised. It's simply the human condition. It's quite sad because the "people", the "majority", or the "99%" literally have all the power. If we just get together and forget our political and ideological differences can we make changes in the flawed legislative system we have; unfortunately, Americans literally hate each other. We are so segregated. This is the unfortunate product of a heterogeneous country and mass brainwashing from the media and society in general.
America was founded upon the belief of freedom. Yet we continue to mandate vaccines. If this is not unconstitutional, then what is? Do personal rights not matter anymore in this country? At the very least vaccines should be pro-choice despite whether it is dangerous or not. It's my body and only I choose what I want to put in it.
I fear for the future of this beautiful country and the innocent kids who will be our leaders of this country. Autism and neurological disorders will become the norm if this madness of mandating vaccines doesn't stop; no not even about mandates, but about when vaccines are truly shown their true colors.
July 1, 2011
I gave this book a good shot. I renewed it from the library as many times as I could, but I could not get through it. The "science" they cited was rarely actually given references, but more frequently was just a blanket statement followed by a sentence that would be cited for something else entirely. I found the argument that vaccinations should be optional from a human rights perspective interesting, but the lack of scientific support in spite of their claims that they had studies supporting their claims left me unconvinced. Maybe there was some better data later in the book, as I did not finish the book.
March 8, 2012
A must read for anyone who thinks the vaccine question has been answered. Today the Supreme Court ruled that vaccine makers have no liability for even defective/contaminated products. What other product can you name where the manufacturer has zero liability? and what incentive is there to make a safer product?
March 26, 2011
a very very good book. way too much info for just a a sit down and read book. definitely one to read in topics that interest you. so I mostly just stayed with chapters dealing with parents and vaccines. I think everyone should be aware of the real vaccine debate going on and this book explains it well.
January 25, 2017
This book was very fine.
Now that I understand the issues, it strikes me that some of the very same politically aligned people have a contradiction at this point. I hear all the time about “a woman’s right to choose” what happens to her body as a justification for murder of babies used by Planned Parenthood. At the same time, we are saying that people should not have the right to choose what goes into their bodies with respect to vaccines. We say that the government should be able to force people to vaccinate. This seems to be hypocrisy of the highest order.
Citizens should have the right to choose whether or not to allow liquid mercury and liquid aluminum to be pumped into our systems. This is basic human rights and medical ethics.
This book is full of testimony that vaccines need to be rethought completely and much more testing needs to be done before they are imposed upon the population. In fact, the American people become guinea pigs. The ones who are most harmed are the youngest children among us. There is already plenty of science linking vaccines to horrible of facts as this book demonstrates.
Now that I understand the issues, it strikes me that some of the very same politically aligned people have a contradiction at this point. I hear all the time about “a woman’s right to choose” what happens to her body as a justification for murder of babies used by Planned Parenthood. At the same time, we are saying that people should not have the right to choose what goes into their bodies with respect to vaccines. We say that the government should be able to force people to vaccinate. This seems to be hypocrisy of the highest order.
Citizens should have the right to choose whether or not to allow liquid mercury and liquid aluminum to be pumped into our systems. This is basic human rights and medical ethics.
This book is full of testimony that vaccines need to be rethought completely and much more testing needs to be done before they are imposed upon the population. In fact, the American people become guinea pigs. The ones who are most harmed are the youngest children among us. There is already plenty of science linking vaccines to horrible of facts as this book demonstrates.
January 22, 2020
Finally finished this book after several years of reading it. It consists of a number of authors writing on the various aspects of vaccines - the history of, legal and governmental, multiplicity of vaccines and when they are given. I highlighted so many parts of this book and plan to add many of those highlights to this review. It has strengthened my view that there are too many vaccines given at too young an age, in too many multiple doses. And I truly believe that because of this vaccines cause many chronic diseases such as autism. The CDC recommends 70 doses of 16 different vaccines between birth and age eighteen. I learned about the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program that has paid over 2 billion in damages to more than 2500 families from 1988 till the publication of this book. I learned the Gulf War Syndrome was the result of the Anthrax vaccine. And I learned that it is not necessarily the vaccine that is the problem but how it is packaged with aluminum and mercury part of the packaging.
February 2, 2020
When I research a topic, I like to hear from both sides and then use my brain to make up my own mind. I’m glad I read this book. Instead of repeating what many of the main stream media, who are dependent on pharmaceutical money for advertising say, this book offers information worth checking out as you make up your own mind instead of just listening to Jim, who himself didn’t even read the book, but got on the Internet and saw that someone else thought the book was full of lies, and so he decided to just believe that person instead of reading the book himself. Of course, Jim thinks you shouldn’t read the book, but he bases his decision not on his own experience of the book, because he didn’t even read the book himself.
October 30, 2020
Anti vaccine book wrapped in the lie of a balanced debate. A one sided viewpoint. Shameful.
May 2, 2011
It would be nice if good reads had a "gave up" button to indicate status. I wanted to read this because I believe it is important to look at every side of an issue. I'm disappointed in myself for not being able to persevere. There were just too many authors and the writing was very inconsistent from chapter to chapter. I got derailed on the chapter that claimed that vaccination choice was mandated by the bible.... I put the book down and the library fines started to accumulate. I gave up and returned it.
December 7, 2020
Horrible collection of pseudo-science that is going to cause more harm during this age of misinformation and “my-feelings-are-as-valid-as-the-experts’-facts” mindset. The same people who believe in “vaccine choice” are the same people who won’t wear a mask to save other people during a deadly airborne pandemic because they think doing so infringes on their own rights.
I wonder if the people who praise this book will take a COVID vaccine now that they’ve experienced a pandemic in which so many people have died. Probably not! Supporters of this trash literature probably think there’s a cabal of elites who do nefarious things in the basement of a pizza parlor.
Should parents question vaccines? Absolutely, yes! Everyone should question everything! But this book has so many gaping holes in logic, contradictions in arguments regarding statistics, and a weird mix of ethical pretense and “my-poor-loved-one-got-hurt-please-pitty-me” calls for attention (I’m sorry your loved one got hurt, but in a complex world that’s full of pollution, receding ozone, global warming, etc., there is a very good argument that the changing environment played a bad role in exacerbating the symptoms of your loved ones; but the vaccine did not kill them).
But perhaps the MOST offending part is when one contributor compares the use of vaccines to the Holocaust. Yes, THE Holocaust. OMFG that should make anyone with a conscience furious! It was bad enough they had a BUSINESSMAN attack the statistical methods of scientific studies (sorry buddy, but your analysis of a stock’s P/E ratio is much more different than a clinical study’s analysis of hazard ratios or intent to treat analysis). But the AUDACITY to literally call the use of vaccines as comparable to the Holocaust should make any decent person question the intentions of the contributors (hint: they’re not pious; they’re just as bad as the medical-pharma-government complex they keep blaming).
Where else does this book go horrible wrong? Well, there’s the whole Andrew Wakefield thing. He’s not a crusader. He’s a justifiably labeled pariah..... oh and thimerosol? Not a major ingredient of vaccines these days.....and Mercury? Well there’s less mercury in the water you drink than what was in the vaccines (the earth’s crust has lot of mercury in it, so you always drink trace amounts of water).
Should pharma companies pay for the very, very unlikely case someone gets seriously hurt by a vaccine? Yes. Should the NIH back more studies in vaccine safety? Yes, because the more research, the better. Is this book full of biased, unsubstantiated, and refuted claims? Yes, yes, yes!
For those coming across this book during the age of COVID like I did: wear a mask. Then take the COVID vaccine!
I wonder if the people who praise this book will take a COVID vaccine now that they’ve experienced a pandemic in which so many people have died. Probably not! Supporters of this trash literature probably think there’s a cabal of elites who do nefarious things in the basement of a pizza parlor.
Should parents question vaccines? Absolutely, yes! Everyone should question everything! But this book has so many gaping holes in logic, contradictions in arguments regarding statistics, and a weird mix of ethical pretense and “my-poor-loved-one-got-hurt-please-pitty-me” calls for attention (I’m sorry your loved one got hurt, but in a complex world that’s full of pollution, receding ozone, global warming, etc., there is a very good argument that the changing environment played a bad role in exacerbating the symptoms of your loved ones; but the vaccine did not kill them).
But perhaps the MOST offending part is when one contributor compares the use of vaccines to the Holocaust. Yes, THE Holocaust. OMFG that should make anyone with a conscience furious! It was bad enough they had a BUSINESSMAN attack the statistical methods of scientific studies (sorry buddy, but your analysis of a stock’s P/E ratio is much more different than a clinical study’s analysis of hazard ratios or intent to treat analysis). But the AUDACITY to literally call the use of vaccines as comparable to the Holocaust should make any decent person question the intentions of the contributors (hint: they’re not pious; they’re just as bad as the medical-pharma-government complex they keep blaming).
Where else does this book go horrible wrong? Well, there’s the whole Andrew Wakefield thing. He’s not a crusader. He’s a justifiably labeled pariah..... oh and thimerosol? Not a major ingredient of vaccines these days.....and Mercury? Well there’s less mercury in the water you drink than what was in the vaccines (the earth’s crust has lot of mercury in it, so you always drink trace amounts of water).
Should pharma companies pay for the very, very unlikely case someone gets seriously hurt by a vaccine? Yes. Should the NIH back more studies in vaccine safety? Yes, because the more research, the better. Is this book full of biased, unsubstantiated, and refuted claims? Yes, yes, yes!
For those coming across this book during the age of COVID like I did: wear a mask. Then take the COVID vaccine!
January 16, 2019
Vaccine Reference Guide
This compilation of relatively current vaccine information is another good place to get authenticated information. However, it is somewhat of a patchwork quilt of many pieces that make up what we know about vaccine history, policy, and science. This book could be overwhelming to a newcomer. Yet, I would choose this book over reading a hodgepodge of articles from various internet sources. This is meant to be a general guide and overview. More specific information would need to apply to your individual context and the state in which you live. Resources for further reading and information are offered. Let me state that books such as this one broach no question of their validity. They absolutely cannot afford to compromise the truth.
Chapters are authored by various professionals in a multitude of fields including law, policy, and medicine who are well known to the area of vaccine choice and fully informed consent. Some of the chapters such as the HPV chapter are extremely long and tedious. The information however is both solid and valid. The book may also be used as a reference guide as opposed to reading from start to finish. I did not yet read the chapter appendix at the end of the book before writing my review as I saw this section strictly as a reference section and not part of the actual text. I will most likely go back and read them later.
Once vaccine risk is on your radar, I would recommend purchasing this book and using it as a reference. One of the highlights is that the entire backstory of Andy Wakefield is included as well as a chapter written by Wakefield himself. You will see an old phenomenon brought to life, that truth can be temporarily buried under a vicious campaign of lies and deceit. You will fully understand why the lies against him were permitted to persist and how deeply rooted greed and corruption are when applied to vaccination and particularly the childhood schedule.
BRB Rating: Own It.
This compilation of relatively current vaccine information is another good place to get authenticated information. However, it is somewhat of a patchwork quilt of many pieces that make up what we know about vaccine history, policy, and science. This book could be overwhelming to a newcomer. Yet, I would choose this book over reading a hodgepodge of articles from various internet sources. This is meant to be a general guide and overview. More specific information would need to apply to your individual context and the state in which you live. Resources for further reading and information are offered. Let me state that books such as this one broach no question of their validity. They absolutely cannot afford to compromise the truth.
Chapters are authored by various professionals in a multitude of fields including law, policy, and medicine who are well known to the area of vaccine choice and fully informed consent. Some of the chapters such as the HPV chapter are extremely long and tedious. The information however is both solid and valid. The book may also be used as a reference guide as opposed to reading from start to finish. I did not yet read the chapter appendix at the end of the book before writing my review as I saw this section strictly as a reference section and not part of the actual text. I will most likely go back and read them later.
Once vaccine risk is on your radar, I would recommend purchasing this book and using it as a reference. One of the highlights is that the entire backstory of Andy Wakefield is included as well as a chapter written by Wakefield himself. You will see an old phenomenon brought to life, that truth can be temporarily buried under a vicious campaign of lies and deceit. You will fully understand why the lies against him were permitted to persist and how deeply rooted greed and corruption are when applied to vaccination and particularly the childhood schedule.
BRB Rating: Own It.
January 23, 2020
This should be required reading for all pediatricians. I highly urge parents to read books like this one to fully understand the risk verses benefit of vaccinating. The formatting of the book was challenging to read with so many contributors, but the wealth of information made it worth it. The bottom line is that we have no idea of the long term consequences of vaccines. We have no idea if they are safe and there is little proof of efficacy.
April 30, 2021
In a culture that is all about believing people’s stories and uprooting past cultural biases and finding truth, this book and others in similar veins continue to be ridiculed. And the reason why is it will wreck the American public when these books are read. When science is believed without research into truth it becomes the worst sort of religion. That is what we have with the vaccine science today. This book broke my heart as I read and then researched to check the validity of their research. The lies and misinformation out there on this subject make me sick to the stomach and I wish people would simply research. If someone chooses to take a vaccine that is absolutely their decision. If someone chooses not to take a vaccine that is also absolutely their decision. But blindly accepting the mainstream narrative is dangerous and we have wrongly silenced an entire population group suffering and pointing to the other half of the story. This book brings their stories, our laws, the criss-crossed relationships between the government and big pharmaceutical companies, and the blatant disregard for so many into light.
This would not be my first recommendation on the subject. “Dissolving Illusions” and “The Moth in the Iron Lung” are better starter points. But to fully understand our modern day era this is a must read that everyone in the American public should be reading.
Ignorance is bliss. But it doesn’t make it right. Was it easier to not know? Yes. But it’s better to know.
This would not be my first recommendation on the subject. “Dissolving Illusions” and “The Moth in the Iron Lung” are better starter points. But to fully understand our modern day era this is a must read that everyone in the American public should be reading.
Ignorance is bliss. But it doesn’t make it right. Was it easier to not know? Yes. But it’s better to know.
January 5, 2021
Very informative. It’s scary to think about and come to understand how vaccines work and how no one REALLY knows the effects of them because the government won’t run true trials and tests. And yet vaccination is required of all children to enter day care and schools. There are some exceptions, but they’re hard to come by and not many people know they exist. It’s really unbelievable and incredible!
Though this wasn’t a fun read, I would recommend to anyone who is interested in learning more about vaccinations and the potential harm they cause. I stand for vaccination choice and true knowledge of the risk vs. benefit.
Though this wasn’t a fun read, I would recommend to anyone who is interested in learning more about vaccinations and the potential harm they cause. I stand for vaccination choice and true knowledge of the risk vs. benefit.
June 12, 2012
A real eye opener, about far more than vaccines. This collection of writings provides multiple illustrations of the state of civil rights in the US...
Overall this book is an excellent piece. My only reservation is the cover. The topic of vaccines is serious and has important implications for humanity in terms of both health and liberty; my concern is that the cover might be interpreted as sensational and put off those who would appreciate the content.
Something every citizen of the US -- and every citizen of a country being eyed as a potential market -- should read.
Overall this book is an excellent piece. My only reservation is the cover. The topic of vaccines is serious and has important implications for humanity in terms of both health and liberty; my concern is that the cover might be interpreted as sensational and put off those who would appreciate the content.
Something every citizen of the US -- and every citizen of a country being eyed as a potential market -- should read.
January 30, 2014
For those wondering about vaccinating their children: WARNING starting here will the beginning of the end , powerful and factual. This was my 1st one because I'm a new dad who has not vaccinated his daughter and the other two I read only backed this one and one was even a semi pro vaccine book by dr bob sears called the vaccine book the other was dissolving illusions. All three books have given me the knowledge and know how to no longer have an unvaccinated child
January 7, 2016
This book is terrible. The author uses 'bad science' and quackery to make the point that vaccines are harmful. This is highly irresponsible, and should be criminally punishable behavior. Not receiving vaccines doesn't just hurt you and your loved ones but also your entire local community.
December 15, 2011
One of the best books I have read! Everyone should read this book, not just parents.
May 4, 2013
Wonderful. Full of great information. Every parent and parent to be should read this book!
June 7, 2017
If people read ONE book about vaccines, this is the one I would recommend. Diverse topics, well referenced, solid book. Loved it. Spent an extra few days going through the sources for more info.
February 12, 2016
The stated purpose of the book is to make the case for vaccine choice, which is accomplished through three main styles:
1) raising doubts of the safety and efficacy of vaccines,
2)appeals for activism and more research,
3) and anecdotal experiences.
I was not swayed by most of the first kind of argument, mostly because scientific clams were general, broad in scope and without cited research. In fact, often the case was made from a position of no information, claiming both sides of the arguments lacked sufficent data. I did, however, agree with the need for greater safety testing and regulation of the whole industry.
Appeals for activism, by, for example, seeking exemptions or finding sympathetic physicians did not appeal to me personally, but I can see why many are persuaded by the idea of "exercising personal freedom" and the overt messaging that "God gave us children, and the government should not tell us what to do with them". On the call for research, however, I fully agree that we need to do more research and apply the highest level of scientific scrutiny.
The anecdotal experience in Chapter 11 was the most compelling of the personal accounts to me, a heart breaking story of parents trying to do their best, and finding an unsympathetic medial system which certainly contributed to harming their children. It's stories like this that I am sure are what convince parents to opt out of vaccinating their children.
If you are like me, and interested in the arguments of the "Anti-vaccination" or "vaccination choice" movement I do recommend this to book. I don't know how representative if is of general views and arguments, but it gave me insight into this way of thinking.
1) raising doubts of the safety and efficacy of vaccines,
2)appeals for activism and more research,
3) and anecdotal experiences.
I was not swayed by most of the first kind of argument, mostly because scientific clams were general, broad in scope and without cited research. In fact, often the case was made from a position of no information, claiming both sides of the arguments lacked sufficent data. I did, however, agree with the need for greater safety testing and regulation of the whole industry.
Appeals for activism, by, for example, seeking exemptions or finding sympathetic physicians did not appeal to me personally, but I can see why many are persuaded by the idea of "exercising personal freedom" and the overt messaging that "God gave us children, and the government should not tell us what to do with them". On the call for research, however, I fully agree that we need to do more research and apply the highest level of scientific scrutiny.
The anecdotal experience in Chapter 11 was the most compelling of the personal accounts to me, a heart breaking story of parents trying to do their best, and finding an unsympathetic medial system which certainly contributed to harming their children. It's stories like this that I am sure are what convince parents to opt out of vaccinating their children.
If you are like me, and interested in the arguments of the "Anti-vaccination" or "vaccination choice" movement I do recommend this to book. I don't know how representative if is of general views and arguments, but it gave me insight into this way of thinking.
April 7, 2016
This book can be used as proof of how broken the education system is and especially the way diplomas are handled and distributed. Individuals who reach rudimentary levels of understanding in a certain field are free to practice and educate others. The knowledge is less important than rote reproduction. And rote reproduction is most of the time offset by simply wasting time and giving money to the diploma factories.
July 15, 2012
A persuasive, well-written, and diversely authored set of accounts. If only scientists/health professionals/the vast majority of parents could write this well about the TRUTH instead of paranoid delusions.
June 12, 2021
Vaccine Epidemic, is a typical collection of false antivaccine tropes, noteworthy only because antivaxers are still promoting the same dangerous nonsense in the age of Covid-19.
You'll find the usual dubious anecdotes and cast of characters, including Andrew Wakefield (struck off the British M.D. registry after he was found to have conducted unethical and bogus research relating to the MMR vaccine), Boyd Haley (warned by the FDA for promoting a toxic industrial chemical as an autism treatment) and Sherri Tenpenny (a D.O. who recently told Ohio legislators that Covid-19 vaccination magnetizes recipients, causing keys, forks and spoons to stick to them).
You could describe the book as being out of date. But antivax memes never go out of style - they're just repackaged to take advantage of current fears and doubts, and to make money for the people who promote them, through sales of books and supplements, lectures and personal "consultations".
For accurate information on vaccines from reliable sources, look to Vaxopedia, immunize.org and the vaccine information section of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website.
You'll find the usual dubious anecdotes and cast of characters, including Andrew Wakefield (struck off the British M.D. registry after he was found to have conducted unethical and bogus research relating to the MMR vaccine), Boyd Haley (warned by the FDA for promoting a toxic industrial chemical as an autism treatment) and Sherri Tenpenny (a D.O. who recently told Ohio legislators that Covid-19 vaccination magnetizes recipients, causing keys, forks and spoons to stick to them).
You could describe the book as being out of date. But antivax memes never go out of style - they're just repackaged to take advantage of current fears and doubts, and to make money for the people who promote them, through sales of books and supplements, lectures and personal "consultations".
For accurate information on vaccines from reliable sources, look to Vaxopedia, immunize.org and the vaccine information section of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website.
July 2, 2017
"Zaczęliśmy traktować astmę, alergie, egzemy, przewlekłe infekcje ucha i trudności w nauce jako "normalne" choroby u dzieci. W naszej gorliwości, by wykorzenić parę chorób zakaźnych, przehandlowaliśmy zazwyczaj łagodne choroby dziecięce, takie jak ospa, świnka, czy odra, za choroby przewlekłe i przyjmowanie leków przez całe życie. Zamieniliśmy krótkotrwałe choroby na poważne i trwające całe życie choroby, zaburzenia, dysfunkcje i niepełnosprawności. Choroba przewlekła utrzymywana w ryzach za pomocą leków nie jest zdrowiem... Wydaje się, że wszystkie kraje są na najlepszej drodze do wstrzykiwania każdemu człowiekowi na planecie coraz bardziej złożonych mieszanek środków chemicznych i biologicznych, zaczynając od urodzenia." - rewelacyjne przedstawienie faktów związanych z bardzo dochodowym rynkiem szczepionek
February 24, 2022
Even though the book is 10+ years old, there are a lot of valuable resources for parents, at the very least to start some research. I first finished a book by Paul Offit that discusses the importance of vaccination, and then this, to be able to see both sides. I was shocked to find out a lot of objective facts that most of the general population is never informed about. Like, how many people know about National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) and everything that comes with it? You can feel emotionally charged about certain statements, and treat them with scepticism and disbelief, but there are also facts that are just that - facts, and need to be taken into account when making important health decisions.
Still a lot of research to do, and probably battles to fight, but this is a good start.
Still a lot of research to do, and probably battles to fight, but this is a good start.
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