I do not like the term VPD

[kathymuggle]

It implies diseases are preventable by vaccinating. This is not the case.  Vaccines range in effectiveness.  It seems somewhat of a pro-vaxing term.

(this is a bit of a spinoff of another thread where someone mentioned this.  I agree with her and thought it worth its own post)

How do you feel about the term VPD?

kathy

Edited by kathymuggle - 3/9/11 at 5:30am

[Super~Single~Mama]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

How do you feel about the term VPC?

 

What does VPC stand for?

[MsFortune]

VPD = vaccine preventable disease

I think it's accurate.  It does not say that in each any every person will be prevented from getting a specific disease in all cases.  It means that a disease can be prevented by a vaccine.

[BeckyBird]

Yeah, I don't like the word "preventable" in there either. I know, there will be a disagreement on here, and that's fine. Someone will say "vaccines do prevent diseases most of the time."  That's fine, because maybe they do prevent diseases most of the time. However, vaccines don't prevent diseases 100% of the time, and even when they work, the immunity often wears off. Maybe I would like the term "vaccinatable disease" (lol), meaning that there is a vaccine available for the disease in question. Leave the word "preventable" out of it, since vaccines don't always prevent!

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by Super~Single~Mama 

What does VPC stand for?

My bad.  I have corrected it - it was a typo and should have read VPD.

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by BeckyBird 

Yeah, I don't like the word "preventable" in there either. I know, there will be a disagreement on here, and that's fine. Someone will say "vaccines do prevent diseases most of the time."  That's fine, because maybe they do prevent diseases most of the time. However, vaccines don't prevent diseases 100% of the time, and even when they work, the immunity often wears off. Maybe I would like the term "vaccinatable disease" (lol), meaning that there is a vaccine available for the disease in question. Leave the word "preventable" out of it, since vaccines don't always prevent!

I had also thought of vaccinatable diseases - but that shortens to VD - which is funny but not good

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by MsFortune 

VPD = vaccine preventable disease

I think it's accurate.  It does not say that in each any every person will be prevented from getting a specific disease in all cases.  It means that a disease can be prevented by a vaccine.

I think you are contradicting yourself.  

Vaccinating falls under science.  In order for something to be true in science it has to be 100% accurate (or darn close to it) as far as I know.  Science-y types can weigh in if they like on this.

Vaccines are no where near 100%.  Some are very effective, and some are not (someone on another thread posted pertussis was about 75% effective).

Saying VPD is too blanket a statement for me.

I do not think it is an issue on MDC (where I genuinely believe most people, at least the ones who post here, know darn well vaccines vary in effectiveness) but I am not so sure of the general public.  Words have power.  VPD  promotes an untrue image in something that is so important. 

Has anyone heard the term VPD outside mothering?

[ammiga]

I use the term VAD, vaccine available disease, which I have seen other people here use. I have not heard VPD or VAD outside of MDC.

[Mosaic]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

I think you are contradicting yourself.  

Vaccinating falls under science.  In order for something to be true in science it has to be 100% accurate (or darn close to it) as far as I know.  Science-y types can weigh in if they like on this.

Vaccines are no where near 100%.  Some are very effective, and some are not (someone on another thread posted pertussis was about 75% effective).

Saying VPD is too blanket a statement for me.

I do not think it is an issue on MDC (where I genuinely believe most people, at least the ones who post here, know darn well vaccines vary in effectiveness) but I am not so sure of the general public.  Words have power.  VPD  promotes an untrue image in something that is so important. 

Has anyone heard the term VPD outside mothering?

The CDC has a portion of their website labeled VPD, though they list both "vaccine-preventable diseases" and "vaccine & preventable diseases". Still, I think we can safely say Mothering didn't make it up.

And no, science never claims to have 100% accuracy or "truth"... that's kinda half the point, imo (though I admit, I'm totally a "science-y type")

[MsFortune]

Indeed.

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

Vaccinating falls under science.  

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by Mosaic 

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 


 

The CDC has a portion of their website labeled VPD, though they list both "vaccine-preventable diseases" and "vaccine & preventable diseases". Still, I think we can safely say Mothering didn't make it up.

And no, science never claims to have 100% accuracy or "truth"... that's kinda half the point, imo (though I admit, I'm totally a "science-y type")

No, I know they don't.....which is why the term VDP bugs, me I guess.  It seems an untruth to say "vaccine preventable diseases"  when indeed, the diseases are not necessarily preventable through vaccinating.  

I do like the term Vaccine available diseases (VAD) - which seems a much more neutral statement that VPD.

[Turquesa]

KathyMuggle,  I hadn't thought of your example, specifically.  But you're right.  The one that has always bothered me (for the same reasons that "VPD" bothers you) is "immunization."

[heathergirl67]

I guess the same thing could be said for a "Treatment Center" or "Diagnostics" office. They aren't able to effectively treat or diagnose everything 100% of the time. But is it misleading? No. Because that's what usually happens, therefore that's what it's known for. Same for VPDs.
 

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

No, I know they don't.....which is why the term VDP bugs, me I guess.  It seems an untruth to say "vaccine preventable diseases"  when indeed, the diseases are not necessarily preventable through vaccinating.  

I do like the term Vaccine available diseases (VAD) - which seems a much more neutral statement that VPD.

[kathymuggle]

Treatment centre is fine. Is means someone receives treatment - without anyone discussion of whether that treatment works.

VPD implies vaccines prevent diseases - which is not a wholly true claim.  Vaxes vary in effectiveness.

Indeed, if someone said "cure centre" instead of "treatment centre" that would be unacceptable - as no cure is guaranteed.  

I might be splitting hairs  - but it bugs me.

[Treece]

Originally Posted by Turquesa 

KathyMuggle,  I hadn't thought of your example, specifically.  But you're right.  The one that has always bothered me (for the same reasons that "VPD" bothers you) is "immunization."

I never use this term or "Shots" I always say "We don't vaccinate."

[GoBecGo]

I don't mind VPD, but then, i do vaccinate! Lol.

I don't mind it because vaccination CAN prevent disease, it just isn't guaranteed to.  Like you can get a "walking epidural" but may not, in fact, be able to walk.  I have never read VPD or VAD anywhere but here.

[just_lily]

I don't like VPD or immunizations.  I use VAD or vaccines.

I also really dislike the use of possessives when it comes to vaccines.  "I took my baby for her shots today."