I just don't get it...well, I do..but why don't "they"

[Fyrestorm]

Caution::::::Vent ahead:::::::

I was listening to a local talk radio program. They had a doctor on that was talking about how dangerous it was that people were using all this medication...sleeping pills, antacids, anti inflammatory drus etc. Some over the counter, some not. He talked about mineral depletion and the possibility of neurological issues etc. and how people should be aware of what they are taking and what the side effects are..

Interesting that he never mentioned vaccines...oh...right, those are like water, perfectly safe in any amount and any combination.

wait....aren't they drugs?

Then, just to boil my blood even more, in the next segment, they were chatting about the safety of the food supply. How the FDA was in the pockets of lobbyists, and not watching the backs of the public. Again drugs were brought up, like Vioxx etc. and how the FDA pretended that they didn't see that coming...

Again...vaccines are not mentioned. Cause you know, they are as safe as mother's milk. And besides, the FDA checks each of them carefully and has no conflicts of interest as far as they are concerned and vaccines are the one thing the the FDA is right on top of.

wait...aren't they drugs?

[emma1325]

Yes, you're so right! People ignore the risks because they are the sacred cow of medicine, and even if they have vaccine doubts, to express these doubts publicly is very risky to a persons' reputation.

At least you didn't catch a local radio program I heard a couple of months ago. The doctor was saying how wonderful vaccines are, and implying that parents who choose not to vaccinate are misinformed and irresponsible.

I called in to reply to that, and got on the air, and I very politely disagreed with him and said that like any other drug, vaccines carry risks, and parents need to be able to make responsible vaccine choices without being berated over them. The radio host asked me in an irritated manner if I had a question for the doctor, as this was not a program to debate this issue.

[lauradbg]

If they ignore reactions and look the other way, then they can say that vaccines have been proven through time. They're not a new variety of drug, like statins or steroids or any other relatively modern drug.

Vaccines have been around since the 1800's so people think they must be safe. They think they are proven.

People don't think of interactions or adjuvants or toxic ingredients--why would those be in there? And, if they are in there, they must be in some form that is safe to take...

Vaccines have neurotoxins and people inject them into kids. I don't care if that's been happening since the 1800's--it seems patently absurd to me.

[1littlebit]

its because (IMO) it does not even occur to people that they are medicine. medicine is used to 'cure' illnesses, relieve pain, .. soo Fix thing. Vaccines are used to prevent things... and the fabulous thing about vaccines is that they reduce the need for those evil medications. i get it.... but i think its a lazy and complacent POV.

[mama1803]

I completely understand why your blood was boiling. I feel the same way.

A few weeks ago when the warnings about Zicam came out I wondered why mainstream America got so worked up over that and yet can turn around and attack parents who even so much as question the safety of vaccines.

[peainthepod]

Cognitive dissonance is at once fascinating and very scary to see. Some people shut down the minute you challenge their core beliefs, the beliefs they hold so strongly that they feel almost necessary for survival. For lots of parents, especially in our culture, trust in doctors and the conviction that vaccines are completely safe for every child, in every combination, always, is such a belief.

I really think that for a lot of people, especially those who have either vaccinated their children or stand to profit from vaccinating children (pharmaceutical researchers, doctors, etc.), asking them to question vaccines is literally equivalent to asking them to question gravity, or their need to breathe air to survive. It's just...unthinkable. They'll even admit that the FDA is a corrupt joke, that Congress is in the pockets of the pharmaceutical lobby, and they can name half a dozen drugs like Vioxx and Thalidomide that were advertised as safe and had devastating consequences for those who took them. But ask them about vaccine dangers and suddenly you're smearing your muddy boots on their sacred ground. They simply can't open that door.

Scary stuff.