Anti-vax jubilation!
The appointment of RFK jnr to the health portfolio in the Trump administration is sending ripples of joy through the conspiracy theory driven anti-vax crowd. The joy that autism will finally be eliminated because, as every one knows, vaccinations have led to the explosive rise of autism among children.
There is nothing quite as powerful as a good conspiracy theory to drive the population apocalyptic.
Predictably, when I began thinking and researching vaccinations and the link to autism, I got a flood of links to the dangers of vaccination, how all those needles newborns get has led to a spike in autism. On and on it goes, we really should go back to the dark ages, before vaccinations became a thing.
What makes it doubly scary is that tomorrow morning I have a doctor’s appointment, a quick run down on the results of an annual blood test and a second shot in the arm for something or other.
I can feel the autism coming on.
Fear is a wonderful thing.
OK, reality check time.
How come there are now 8.2 billion people alive on earth today compared to about 2 billion a hundred years ago? How come the world population had stayed around 2 billion for several hundred years despite families having far more children than today? A hundred years ago women were having an average of about 8 children, today that figure is about 2 children… and yet the population continues to grow, estimated to peak at around 10 to 11 billion by the turn of this century. Infant mortality was such that of the eight children birthed, on average, five died before they turned five.
There are several factors driving down the birth rate, one is that life has changed very much in the last century or so, life expectancy has changed from 47 years to present day 86 years, infant mortality has changed from 40 per 100 births to less than 4 today.
Some of the reasons for the lower life expectancy was based on the number of infectious diseases which swept through communities, including small pox, measles. mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, cholera, hepatitis, influenza to name a few. Add to that the occasional epidemic such as the ‘Black Death’, bubonic plague which wiped out almost half the population of Europe from 1346 t0 1353, or more recently the devastation of an ebola outbreak in Liberia a decade ago.
And some of the major changes that have led to longevity have been in health services including vaccinations. There are other factors too, like the reduction of poverty, better infrastructure providing clean water, sewerage, electricity, but for this we focus on the provision and changes in health services.
Why has there been such an increase in the reported rate of autism? Is it because of the vaccinations newborns are subjected to or could there be something else at play?
A couple of things happened, firstly there was a fake article in The Lancet of February 1998 which claimed a link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination given to infants but was retracted and the author de-licensed by the British medical authorities for his deceit and ‘callous disregard’ for children in his care. Those were the early days of the internet and as social media grew in the new century, the article resurfaced and the anti-vax conspiracy grew legs.
The second influencer was the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which includes a diagnostic list to identify Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder in children, and the checklist is easily accessible on line. So a parent looks at the behaviour of their child, identifies some ‘problematic’ issues as on the DSM checklist and decides the kid must be autistic or ADHD, and the kid was immunised against all sorts of things, so that must be the problem, vaccinations cause autism. And then convinces a doctor to prescribe some mind numbing cure-all to ‘normalise’ the child’s behaviour. Simple really.
(Autism and ADHD share many symptoms.)
R F Kennedy jnr also wants to remove fluoride from drinking water.
I remember years ago when fluoridation of water was commenced. Arguments raged over the perceived benefits and dangers of such a radical move and sceptics here still voice objections, preferring to drink bottled ‘natural spring waters’ marketed by the largest soft drink corporation in the world, paying premium prices for non fluoridated water in disposable plastic bottles.
Yes, fluoride is a dangerous chemical. Used in excess in drinking water or as part of oral health, using toothpaste with fluoride, it can cause dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, fatigue, joint related problems and chronicle issues according to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information of the US government.
Used at levels which are higher than recommended, fluoride becomes a problem, however the benefits of fluoride in drinking water, at the minute levels used include better oral health with less tooth decay, preventing cavities which are a common childhood disease. That fluoride reduces tooth decay leading to improved general health outcomes.
Tooth decay has more to do with diet than fluoride or lack of fluoride. Sweet tooth satisfaction with copious amounts of sugary drinks, sweets, chocolates and delicious desserts can quickly overwhelm the benefits of .07ml of fluoride in a litre of drinking water. Doesn’t do much for the blood sugar count either, but that is a separate issue.
The other main health issue Kennedy is noted for is his campaign promoting raw milk instead of pasteurised milk. Likewise here, there is a growing interest in raw milk, citing the dangers of altering a natural product, principally as a marketing tool.
Why was milk pasteurised? Oh, it had something to do with people getting ill and dying from drinking raw milk… and has that problem gone away? Is raw milk healthier now that RFK jnr will head up the US Health department?
Pasteurisation kills harmful bacteria that can lead to diseases such as typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, listeriosis and brucellosis. Many of those diseases have virtually disappeared today. Do we want them back?
The power of social media and some of the influencers who peddle their thoughts and fear-mongering are being seen as knowledgable people, the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry are seen as money making organisations whose only desire is to make more money. Cynicism abounds and trust has been eroded, and people put their health and well-being at risk.
It really is time to stop being lazy, absorbing all the easily obtained misinformation and find and apply critical thinking to the health debate. Research a topic, even just a little bit, see if there is some peer reviewed information out there, weigh up the various sources of information before making up your mind.
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22 comments
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Harry Lime -
keitha granville -
Cool Pete -
Simon -
Lyn -
Pete -
John C -
Terry -
Andyfiftysix -
Andyfiftysix -
Lyn -
Phil Pryor -
Pete -
Phil Pryor -
Arnd -
GL -
Lyndal -
A Commentator -
Bert -
wam -
Andyfiftysix -
Max Gross
Return to home pageMeanwhile,back at the White House,Genocide Joe has allowed the Ukrainians to let loose with the Yankee long range missiles…praise the lord and pass the ammunition.A parting gift to the incoming fuckwit?
OMG – maybe there could be a system where those who choose NOT to be vaccinated receive NO health care for the diseases they will inevitably contract, and also be liable for being sued for those children or frail elderly who die as a result of their allowing those diseases to increase in severity and frequency.
Scientists and doctors have spent 100 years developing ways to keep babies alive – but what the heck, RFK jnr clearly knows better than all of them so let’s do what he says. Mind you, he is working for the guy who suggested injecting bleach to kill Covid 19 so I guess they make good company.
and Harry – wait until DT lets the Israelis loose on Gaza, and watch the annihilation of the Palestinian state and its people. Genocide? You betcha. The Ukranians need to get in now before DT gives Putin permission to take ALL of the Ukraine.
I can provide an explanation for the increased numbers of autistic people. Rates of autism have NOT changed; diagnostic knowledge has improved, and the criteria widened.
The USA is already lagging behind in life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality:
Life Expectancy: 76.4 years
Decreased from 77.0 years in 2020
Notable decline from 78.8 years in 2019 (pre-pandemic)
Infant Mortality: 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births
Higher than most other developed nations
Significant racial disparities exist (Black infants: 10.8 per 1,000)
Maternal Mortality: 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births
Highest among developed nations
Sharp racial disparities (Black women: 69.9 per 100,000)
These metrics are key indicators used to assess a nation’s development level and healthcare system quality. They reflect:
Overall population health and healthcare access
Quality of prenatal/postnatal care
Healthcare system effectiveness
Social equity and disparities
Public health infrastructure
Societal investment in healthcare
The U.S. numbers, particularly the racial disparities and comparison to other developed nations, suggest significant systemic challenges despite high healthcare spending.
Comparing key health metrics between U.S. and Australia (2021-2022 data):
Life Expectancy:
Australia: 83.2 years
U.S.: 76.4 years
Difference: 6.8 years higher in Australia
Infant Mortality (per 1,000 live births):
Australia: 3.1
U.S.: 5.4
Difference: 42.6% lower in Australia
Maternal Mortality (per 100,000 live births):
Australia: 6.0
U.S.: 32.9
Difference: 81.7% lower in Australia
Australia significantly outperforms the U.S. across all three metrics, albeit with similar racial disparities but overall more equitable healthcare access through its universal healthcare system (Medicare).
It will be interesting to see how turning back the “medical sciences clock” will pan out.
We have valid reasons for concern as the USA’s very poor response to Covid can be used to give insight to what may happen given:
“THe USA’s mortality rate in the Covid era was higher than most other developed nations, what were the underlying factors and was this a “cautionary tale”?”
The U.S.’s higher COVID-19 mortality rate stemmed from several key factors:
Healthcare System Issues:
Fragmented healthcare delivery
High uninsured population
Delayed care due to cost concerns
Limited sick leave and workplace protections
Public Health Response:
Decentralized, inconsistent policies
Political polarization of health measures
Mixed messaging on masks/vaccines
Limited contact tracing
Population Health:
High rates of underlying conditions (obesity, diabetes)
Significant health disparities
Aging population
Housing density in urban areas
The cautionary aspects likely included:
Importance of unified public health messaging
Need for universal healthcare access
Critical role of workplace protections
Impact of political polarization on health outcomes
Value of preventive care and population health management
Vaccination has proved a mixed lot for me and my family. I first became suspicious of vaccination in 1980. Having been given an injection against rubella in 1975, I found myself being injected again in 1980 because a blood test showed no antibodies. Then in 1986, they suggested that the antibodies again were so low I needed another dose. I refused because obviously it didn’t take with me. I subsequently refused to allow the then standard rubella vaccine for my 3 daughters at age 13. Not much point if it fades away in 5 years. None of them, nor myself have ever had rubella.
I have never had the flu vaccine, or the flu, not even when working in a high school surrounded by flu sufferers for 14 years. I reluctantly took the COVID vaccine and within the year had COVID anyway.
My youngest daughter is a mother of 3 and a qualified scientist. She has refused all vaccinations for her children, as well as the COVID Vax for herself and husband. None of the children has been sick with anything, nor has anyone in that family had COVID or flu.
Maybe, just maybe Bert, the effectiveness of vaccinations at the levels being pushed nowadays, is over-hyped.
Agree “It really is time to stop being lazy, absorbing all the easily obtained misinformation”
MMR: Why not mention Dr Andrew Wakefield? His latest movie ‘Protocol 7’ “With the catastrophic regression of her adopted son, Lexi, a small-town lawyer, is confronted with the reality of corporate fraud at the highest level. Will she hold a massive corporation accountable in this true whistleblower story?”
Official Trailer of Protocol 7 – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26669823/
RFK is not so much an anti-vaxxer, he sees the flaws with mRNA technology and wants proper testing of current products.
He claims he will clean up the industry. Good luck with the drug cartel behemoth.
Fluoride: the recent ruling (2024) against the EPA by Senior Judge Edward Chen is clear: “The Court finds that fluoridation of water at 0.7 milligrams per liter – the level presently considered “optimal” in the United States – poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children…the Court finds there is an unreasonable risk of such injury, a risk sufficient to require the EPA to engage with a regulatory response.”
If anyone wants fluoride in their diet then buy a tube of toothpaste rather than adding a known toxin to the water supply.
A junkie heroin addict gets the health portfolio. Just what the Seppos need instead of vaccines. How much more gullible can they get? You made your bed now you lie in it!
“Maybe, just maybe Bert, the effectiveness of vaccinations at the levels being pushed nowadays, is over-hyped’
Or maybe, just maybe, you’re basically a free-rider on the whole herd immunity thing… just a thought.
Hey, Harry, what are the ukraines supposed to do, lay down and get exterminated by the terrorists in Russia?
Lyn, you are riding a bit of luck. The reason you haven’t caught rubella is possibly due to the vaccination protocols in oz over some generations? All society needs is a few people to get selfish and suddenly we have another pandemic to deal with.
Pete, we are supposed to get factual information from a movie?
RFK is not a medical expert, going by his muttering it I find it hard to believe anything he says.
As far as senior judge Chen, he isn’t a medical expert either. We have seen what’s going on in the American legal system that’s been stacked. Instead of looking at the judges ruling, maybe we better look at the data first.
” A judge disagrees with the federal officials on the science…” Reads the headline.
” it should be noted that this finding does not conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injuries to public health” so says the fucking judge. And you want to debate and cloud the issue…..
And further Pete, EPA in 1986 under the safe drinking water act capped concentrations at 4 milligrams per litre. Levels over 2 should come with a warning.
However, US Public Health Service recommends an optimal 0.7 milligrams per litre.
The EPA argued that evidence of neurotoxicity effects at lower concentrations was insufficient. So there you have it, siudo science wins the day in court. The evidence of greatly increased oral health didn’t get a look in. The best knowledge we currently have isn’t good enough for some people, so let’s throw out all that we already know.
Terry, I mentioned that I worked in high schools surrounded by people with the flu for 14 years and never caught it. I mentioned that I have had COVID despite being immunised – and I know exactly the path through which my exposure happened.
I could claim that I am a very conscientious hand washer, and I naturally have always maintained social distance, and I hate crowded places…but I also think that my natural immunity is at a good level.
I don’t know how the Human race survived without vaccinations but the concept of herd immunity from vaccination only, fails to recognise that the best immunity stems from people surviving disease exposure.
Pete the perrennial perverted persistent idiotic ranter befouls this site with public attention seeking for the stupidity brigade, and honesty is a casualty. The federal health dept. puts out c. 25 booklets or brochures on life saving, death prevention vaccines and the diseases related therein. A swollen dickhead like Kennedy the deviate and lost soul is no authority, and neither is some judge trained in legal but not in medical science matters. Perverted corrupted thinking, abrasive statements, monumental attention seeking stupidity are ruinous, typical of the inferior egotistical types who despise expertise and have none themselves. Just quietly avoid anything you do like or understand, including breathing.
Morning Phil, haven’t time to read your comment now, busy online shopping for flouride free toothpaste.
Squeeze it on your dunny paper, Pete, to be sure the orifice is safe…
Hey Pete, you might want to make sure that your fluoride-free toothpaste contains plenty of highly abrasive charcoal. The medical establishment has conspired to warn strongly against it, which should be reason enough for you!
Not satisfied with looking at putting Really Fucking Krazy Jr in charge of Department of Health and Human Services The Trumpster has now nominated “Dr” FrankenOz for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/us-politics/donald-trump-nominates-tv-doctor-mehmet-oz-to-run-a-huge-chunk-of-the-us-health-system/news-story/20962703575792210466f78d403bcaaf
Paraphrasing Rik in Bottom: The blisters on Pete’s hand (from excitement and overuse) must look like a slalom run.
Andyfiftysix: you may not be aware but the rubella Vax was only offered to females for many years, including a school based service that inoculated girls of 13 years of age but not males for many years. It is quite likely that you yourself have never been vaccinated against rubella either
Trump seems to prefer half crazed, deranged conspiracy theorists in his cabinet.
Kennedy in particular, is a complete weirdo and would be nothing without the family name.
He built his reputation, in part, as an environmental activist, he now supports an environmental wrecker.
The US is in for a bumpy ride, maybe we are too.
Terry, as far as vaccinations for myself go, I listen to the advice of my doctor whom I have trusted for over 13 years now, and not blindly, but questioning his decisions, and where there is reason form doubt seeking answers from other creditable sources.
those who caught cowpox vaccinated themselves and didn’t get small pox??
Angela got it right when she confessed that she was wrong to think trump was normal.
The clowns he has appointed are also abnormal.
Lyndal, quite rightly I probably haven’t. Seems to have been the right strategy at the time. I for one think the authorities have done a great job over the years. Now that we know more, I expect more of the high standards we achieved. I am certainly not taking advice from armchair no nothings
“Natural immunity”. Against ebola? Seriously???