Strains of Resistance
News: The evolution of anti-vaccine arguments.
|
CLAIM |
WHEN |
WHO |
UPSHOT |
Mercury-containing preservative thimerosal in vaccines causes autism. |
1999- |
Advocacy group SafeMinds, Robert Kennedy Jr., et al. |
Five studies find no link; autism rates stay constant after mercury-containing vaccines pulled. |
Measles-mumps-rubella (mmr) shot causes autism. |
1998 |
British gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield |
14 studies find no link; Wakefield's research funded by lawyers suing vaccine makers. |
Aluminum salts in vaccines affect mental development. |
Since the '90s |
Baby guru Dr. Robert W. Sears |
There's about as much aluminum in the average vaccine as in a quart of formula. |
Vaccines deprive immune system of needed workout. |
Since 1970s |
Some alternative medicine practitioners including followers of Waldorf originator Rudolf Steiner |
Immune system gets plenty of action from everyday germs. |
Vaccines may create new disease organisms. |
Since 1960s |
Perennial concern of vaccine developers |
No "replacement diseases" have ever arisen, but possibility exists. |
Vaccines are spiritual pollution. |
Since 18th c. |
Some Rosicrucians, others |
Rosi-who? |
