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Back on my high horse

I’ve banged on about immunisation in the past, so I will refrain from doing so at length again. But I want to post this link from the Stats Blog (also featured previously), which is about identifying and correcting scientific misinformation in the media resulting from bad science, politics, or a simple lack of information or knowledge.

It disturbs me that the sort of simplistic thinking of many anti-vaccination campaigners has such carriage with a lot of people, especially when it threatens the health and wellbeing of kids. So I’m always about promoting evidence that undermines their cause. So if you’re at all interested, have a look at this quick read (with citations) about a number of measles outbreaks in the US among unvaccinated kids. The numbers of deaths pre-vaccination alone are telling, and well worth reminding people of when they resort to anecdote instead of hard evidence.

NOTE TO SELF: Remember to include the link!

LATE LATE NOTE TO SELF [and the world], this is post number 600 for the blog.

HAPPY SIX HUNDREDTH, BLOG!
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Comments

Anonymous said…
I agree! Parents who don't vaccinate their children border on the criminal. Mass vaccination only works when everyone does it. It's not only the kids who are not vaccinated that are at risk -- there are also the small percentage of kids for whom the vaccine didn't work for whatever reason. They are only protected if everyone around them is.
I regard the development of vaccines as one of the noblest achievments of the human race.
By the way I love your blog and especially the pictures of your gorgeous children!
9 September 2008 at 11:13
USelaine said…
Hear, hear! It is because I bear, along with my generation, a nickel sized scar on my arm, that no one will have to endure the scourge of smallpox. Imagine the hope for African children if malaria could be similarly eradicated.

600!!! I had no idea! I'm only on 191. Kudos to you.
9 September 2008 at 15:27
Anonymous said…
Congrats on the 600. Totally agree with you on this. When I was a health visitor (so, shock horror, I was sometimes the one wielding the evil needle) I had to spend hours debunking the crappy research for parents who believed that the Daily Wail and the anti-immunisation messages of assorted minor celebrities was the height of scientific scrutiny. Grrrr.
9 September 2008 at 17:25
Z said…
Congrats on the 600th!

Thanks for the link to the Stats Blog, useful information there!
9 September 2008 at 20:04
Debbie Courson Smith said…
Happy 600th post birthday!
10 September 2008 at 10:58
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