Dr. Peter Hotez: “Snuff Out” Anti-Vaccine Movement
Occasionally, I come across an article that really riles me. Okay fine, when it comes to vaccine science and vaccination policy, I’ll admit this happens almost every day. Still, there was an opinion published recently in Scientific American that I found particularly annoying. It’s titled “Will an American-Led Anti-Vaccine Movement Subvert…
What if We Underestimate the Economic Cost of Vaccinating?
In a study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and published in the journal Health Affairs on Oct. 12, 2016, it was estimated that the cost to the U.S. economy of people deciding not to get government recommended vaccines to prevent 10 infectious diseases was $7.1 billion in 2015. The research team, led by Sachiko Ozawa, PhD, associate…
The Big Gamble
I was the parent of a vaccine injured child. My son was injured by the DPT vaccine in 1984 and developed an uncontrolled seizure disorder. The vaccine industry, including the government agencies mandated with the responsibility for vaccine oversight, are gambling. They are gambling that the best way to preserve public confidence in the vaccine program is to deny and disavow any claims…
The Economic Impact of Not Vaccinating? Who the Heck Knows.
Every year since 2009, Bill and Melinda Gates have written what has come to be known as their “Annual Letter,” which offers insights on how well the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is progressing to meet its goals. This year’s Gates Annual Letter was released on Feb. 14, 2017, and…
The Quest for Vaccine Safety: A Return to the Dark Ages?
Shortly after it was reported by media sources on January 10, 2017 that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was asked by then President-elect Donald Trump to lead the formation of a commission to look into the safety of vaccines and their possible connection to autism, articles began to appear in newspapers, magazines, and other news…
Dan Olmsted: A Journalist for All Seasons
When I learned early last week that Dan Olmsted was no longer here, like everyone who knew him, I was shocked and then felt very sad that the world had lost a brave and tenacious investigative journalist who created a powerful platform for a public discussion about autism and vaccines. I first heard his name in 2003 when I…