Are unvaccinated children more healthy than vaccinated

New Post Public Reply Private Reply Replies (1) Message Board

May 17, 2017 at 12:52 PM 139

Quote:

Are unvaccinated children more healthy than vaccinated children?

Posted by Orac on October 21, 2016

scienceblogs.com/insolence/2016/10/21/are-unvaccinated-children-more-healthy-than-vaccinated-children/

There are many myths that undergird anti-vaccine beliefs, such as the myth that vaccines cause autism, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome, and basically anything anti-vaccinationists like to blame on them.

Basically, if you believe anti-vaccinationists, there’s nothing bad that vaccines can’t do to children. The flip side of this myth is perhaps the central myth of the antivaccine movement, which is that unvaccinated children are somehow so much healthier than vaccinated children and that fewer vaccines equates to better health.

This one pops up time after time after time after time. It is also the central motivating belief behind frequent calls by antivaccine activists for a “vaccinated versus unvaccinated” study. These calls began with proposals for—I kid you not—a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of vaccinated versus unvaccinated children.

When it was pointed out that such a trial would be completely unethical because it lacks clinical equipoise and that message finally sank in, antivaccinationists pivoted to wanting an epidemiological “vaxed versus unvaxed” study, even though the expense and challenges of such a study would be monumental and antivaccinationists wouldn’t believe a negative outcome anyway.

Of course, these “minor” setbacks haven’t deterred antivaccine advocates from trying to make their case. I remember the first time I saw it, now many years ago, when J.B. Handley and Generation Rescue actually paid a company to do a telephone survey on the health of unvaccinated children. Let’s just say that the design of the survey and wording of the questions were…not exactly rigorous.

Hilariously, though, the survey actually showed some groups of vaccinated children were healthier than unvaccinated children. Even though it was a worthless telephone survey whose results meant nothing, it was hard not to laugh at how it backfired on Generation Rescue.

And don’t get me started on an Internet survey administered by a German homeopath that didn’t show what he thought it showed. He wasn’t the first. Others followed. All generated data (if you can call it that) that turned out to be—surprise!—utterly worthless and unsupportive of the hypothesis that unvaccinated children are generally healthier.

They do provide me with fun targets at which to direct some Insolence, though, along with opportunities to point out that the vaccine schedule is not only evidence-based, but safe and effective.

I was reminded of the “healthy unvaccinated child” myth last night when I came across a post on a website known as Stop Mandatory Vaccination. You can tell there’s going to be a lot of misinformation there when you see its tagline: “Vaccines don’t save lives, healthy immune systems do!” The post is entitled We Have Healthy Vaccine Free Children which basically aggregates comments made after a post on the group’s Facebook page:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2016/10/21/...-children/

Newer

Older

Scroll down for more posts ▼

Top 10 Most Recent News Articles

Midlife ADHD in Women: New Challenges and Solutions

ADHD Evolution in Women's Midlife They say change is the only constant, and boy, does that ring true for women navigating the turbulent seas of ADHD as they hit 40 and beyond. According to Germaine Swanson, the ADHD landscape changes dramatically in midlife, especially for women. We're talking about a mix of hormonal shifts, increasing life demands, and changes in brain...

Give Lively & Change Simplify CA Nonprofit Compliance

A Fresh Wind Blowing for California Nonprofits So, here's a twist in the nonprofit world that's stirring the pot just right. Give Lively and Change have partnered up to tackle the thorny issue of regulatory compliance in California. It's a big win for the nonprofits looking to keep fundraising through Give Lively without getting tangled in the bureaucratic web spun up by...

EFSI Shareholders on Alert Amid M&A Deal Scrutiny

Eagle Financial Services Under the Microscope A buzz is picking up in the world of mergers and acquisitions, and this time, it's Eagle Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: EFSI) caught in the crosshairs. What's the chatter all about? Well, it looks like Juan Monteverde and his crew over at Monteverde & Associates PC have set their sights on Eagle's proposed sale to John...

Job Market Shifts: Adaptation vs. Fairness Dilemma

The Chameleon Effect in Today's Job Market Walk into any open-space office these days, and you'll see faces plastered with composed, work-ready smiles—faces that might not look so familiar outside those walls. The modern workplace has draped its cloak over individual personalities, with the mighty pressure to 'fit in' often forcing a change in how folks present...

Push Notification Security Transforms Healthcare IT Support

Cutting the Fat on IT Help Desk Bottlenecks Healthcare IT teams are fighting an uphill battle with password resets, a mundane task consuming up to half of all help desk calls. It's like trying to stop a leaking dam with duct tape. For health systems, these calls aren't just a minor annoyance—they're a full-fledged budget hog. Try telling a CIO that an agent-friendly...

Maurices Strengthens Position with Key Refinancing Deal

Maurices' Bold Financial Maneuver When a retailer like Maurices, with its near-century-long history, decides to play in the financial arena, it sure makes my ears perk up. This Duluth-based women's fashion retailer isn't just dipping its toes in—it's executing a full-blown refinancing blitzkrieg and coming out stronger. Announcing the completion of its refinancing plan...

Global Communication Works Opens SignlLabs™ AI Licensing

AI Signaling Moves Beyond GCW's Own Clients Remember when we first looked at GCW's SignlLabs and the idea of helping brands show up inside ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot and Perplexity? Well, Global Communication Works is taking the next step. Instead of keeping its AI Signaling playbook inside the agency walls, GCW is now opening SignlLabs up for licensing

CUBEX Lights Up Veterinary Care with Mini Essential

Inventory Woes? Meet Mini Essential If you’ve ever worked in or around veterinary hospitals, you know the old-school headaches of managing controlled substances. Picture this: piles of paper logs, end-of-shift recounting, and inevitable discrepancies that rear their ugly heads long after closing time. Enter CUBEX, shaking things up with their latest launch, Mini...

South Florida Donor Network Honors 52 Heroic Donors

A Heartfelt Tribute to Lifesavers You ever been to a gathering that reminds you how deeply human connections run? That's what happened at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood. South Florida Donor Network (SFDN) pulled together a ceremony honoring 52 donor heroes whose legacies beat strong through the recipients living thanks to their gifts. An Event Worth Attending...

Veho's Role in Redefining Beauty E-Commerce Delivery

Veho Grabs Headlines with BeautyMatter Awards Nod Here's something a bit off the beaten path: Veho's been tapping into new wells of opportunity in the e-commerce sector, and their latest accolade demonstrates just that. Named a finalist in the 2026 BeautyMatter Awards under the Logistics category, they're making noise in all the right circles. Beyond Boxes: Transforming...

Top 5 Most Recently Viewed Articles

Momcozy Unveils Groundbreaking Warm-Massage Breast Pump

Introducing the Revolutionary Warm-Massage Breast Pump In an exciting development for mothers everywhere, Momcozy has launched the Wellness 1 Warm-Massage Breast Pump, a game-changer in the maternity and baby care industry. This innovative product combines comfort and efficiency, making pumping a more pleasant experience for mothers. Currently, this powerful device is...

Fabrinet's CFO Sells Shares: Key Insights and Market Overview

Fabrinet Insider Sale Overview Recently, Csaba Sverha, the Chief Financial Officer at Fabrinet (NYSE: FN), made headlines with his decision to unload a substantial amount of stock. According to the latest SEC filings, this sale involved 10,000 shares valued at approximately $3.11 million. Such insider transactions can often spark interest among investors, as they can...

Innovative Dog Leash Design Enhances Walks for Pet Owners

Introducing an Innovative Leash for Dog Owners Dog owners often face the challenge of walking multiple pets simultaneously. Recognizing this, an inventive mind from Ontario has developed a clever solution with the DOG LEASH FOR 2. This new design aims to make dog walking easier and more enjoyable, eliminating the common tangles that come from using multiple leashes....

Delaware's Controversial Assisted Suicide Law Faces Legal Challenge In a significant legal development, a coalition of disability and patient advocacy organizations has filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of Delaware’s End of Life Options Act. This act establishes the framework for assisted suicide in Delaware, and the plaintiffs are concerned...

Wed Society Honors Wedding Vendors with Special Appreciation Day

Celebrating the Heart of the Wedding Industry Recognizing the dedicated professionals behind millions of weddings each year. Wed Society has announced an official day of recognition for the wedding industry, shining a light on the essential role that countless vendors play in making weddings a reality. This National Wedding Industry Appreciation Day is set to become a...