This was on FB. Friend of mine (FB 1) who is very pro-vaccine (and a RN), but not a lunatic, posted about the flight attendant who is in a coma following exposure to measles. Me, (Tom), posted some, what I felt to be, reasoned responses. Here comes the friend of a friend (SJW Moron). If you agree with anything she says, or can relate to her thought process, you're an idiot, sorry.
FB1: But measles is no big deal, right?
Tom: Never said it wasn't a big deal, all communicable diseases are. But, if you'll allow me to share some pablum that's been said to me ad nauseum; "reactions such as this are not the norm and are in fact quite rare."
Still waiting to hear more about that mumps outbreak on USS Ft McHenry. Amazing how there's so much silence on that one.
FB1: I didn’t hear about the Mumps outbreak honestly. And I realize this particular Measles case is rarer than only getting the rash but what makes Measles so dangerous is how it spreads through the air not just in droplet form. Why risk this when you can have the vaccine. Please don’t say Autism.
Tom: I told you about the mumps outbreak, think I even included a link.
Measles isn't dangerous. Measles is highly contagious and can occasionally lead to outcomes such as this, but to characterize it as dangerous I feel is irresponsible as it isn't classified as a deadly disease in first-world countries. That said, I feel that availability of a vaccine is important, and in most cases, advisable.
As for your question, as you know any vaccine has the potential for adverse outcomes. Some are less likely than those that can result from the disease, some more. What complicates the issue are mandates without liabilities, lack of the need to provide fully informed consent, failure to screen for susceptible populations, combination of multiple vaccines for the sake of profit, and the lack of any real policy regarding adult re-uptake. Correct those issues, and I think you'd find a significant decrease in those who question or oppose the current vaccine policies in the United States.
Specifically to the MMR, I previously commented on another friend's status (a shared meme-ish "fact check" article) about some of the flaws in attempted refutations regarding the vaccine and it's numerous controversies. Among those were the questionable reliability of the MMR 'studies' consistently referenced in scholarly articles; specifically that of William Thompson fame and anything connected to Poul Thorsen. The efficacy of MMR ties into the mumps story, so feel free to explore it further when you can.
Additionally, let's remember that while HHS/VICP have never settled a case wherein vaccines caused autism, they have in fact settled cases wherein vaccines (and the subsequent injuries) RESULTED in a diagnosis of autism. As we are seeing more and more, the devil is in more than the details of research, it's in that of the media and how things are reported as well.
It takes a great deal of time to talk about this subject in a measured and intelligent manner, and many parents (self included) often find themselves unwilling or unable to put in the effort needed. So whether we take the time to offer up thoughtful responses, or just quick drive-by posts, either way we are often labeled with the buzzy 'antivaxxer' as it's just easier for the lazy/ignorant to maintain the narrative. Thank you for never being that way, despite our differences of opinion.
FB1: i totally forgot about the Mumps. I think I now remember talking about it with you. I say “dangerous” referring to how quickly it can spread and potentially cause serious problems for those too young to vaccinate or people who are immunocompromised. I had one patient contract Measles from his community while receiving chemo and he was incubated and in the ICU for almost 2 weeks. Again another rare example but still. It may not be classified as a deadly disease yet here we have a woman in the ICU with brain swelling that very well may die.
Tom: And an adverse event like ADEM may not be common but there it is on the list of table injuries.
Any disease is potentially deadly to the immunocompromised, and as I said I feel that the availability of the vaccine is important due to it's high communicability and for those who could potentially be severely affected by being exposed to it.
But vaccines can also be dangerous to undiagosed/unrecognized, susceptible populations, and as of right now, there's no accommodation for them, only recompense measures. And that's simply unacceptable to me as it is at best rolling the dice that someone won't get hurt, or at worst, places the value of a sick kid over all else, even those who may be sicker but we're too lazy or cheap to find out about.
SJW Moron: the point I think is mmr was eradicated and then mind numbingly stupid people looked to Jenny McCarthy for medical advice. Can we build a wall around the unvaccinated? I’m serious, natural selection will take care of the rest... Measles is incredibly dangerous that’s why possible side effects include brain damage and death... pretty sure that’s as dangerous as it gets. Lemme grab my mom she’ll tell you how much fun mumps, measles and German measles were... how not a big deal it was... lol that’s why they created vaccines for those diseases and worked tirelessly to eradicate them globally... also, are you really arguing with a medical professional? 😂 measles isn’t dangerous... I can’t... I guess swelling of and around the brain is no longer categorized as dangerous good to know... it was when I was going septic at 15. Seriously please stop. There’s probably silence about mumps because we’re going back in time and that makes us look stupid because this is the first world and we’re supposed to be better than that...
Tom: Judging from the above, I suppose it’s true that ‘you cant’. Sorry what I wrote was so incredibly difficult for you to comprehend. Try doing some research instead of relying on what you read on Facebook memes. And btw, you’re now guilty of arguing with a medical professional. Guess it’s my turn to say “I can’t.”
So, that really happened. I find it incredibly disturbing that there are people out there who have ability to influence others and are yet so ill-prepared to even defend their positions. Fuck being against what I posted, that's fine, but the response! Seriously, this really bothered me when I read it. Am I overreacting, or do you guys see what I mean?