by Tanada » Wed 18 Feb 2015, 11:15:25
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'M')ost people under 40 think smallpox is something the pilgrims gave the indians, LOL. I have a smallpox vaccination scar on my arm like most people my age. My step father had polio as a kid and it resulted in some deformity of his spine from his legs being unequal lengths. It affected him his whole life and not just physically.
Someone upstream mentioned remembering the line for the polio vaccine, I remember it as well, it was a big deal. The county health department parking lots were full and the thing I remember is walking a long way to get to the building and the long line once we got there. We just don't realized how big a deal these immunizations were, people were justifiably terrified of a range of deadly diseases not that long ago.
But it ties in with the OP, not the crazy wing-nut aspect, just the difference in culture today compared to the 50s vis a vie community ties. Everywhere wasn't Mayberry but most folks knew where they were without the need for GPS.
I also have a Polio vaccine scar, as does my younger brother who is four years younger than I am, however my eldest niece who is 5 years younger than I am is after the cut off period and those her age and younger never got the vaccination around these parts. When I got mine it was part of the regular vaccination process along with MMR and whatnot in the late 1960's. I still remember the after effect, my arm hurt like you know what for several days and up to that point in my young life it was the worst 'injury' I had ever experienced.
I am all in favor of vaccination as a general rule, my concern is how they are scheduled and what exactly you are getting vaccinated for. Chicken Pox for example is really a very minor illness and by suppressing it IMO we are weakening the immune system of the younger generation. I also think if they wanted to prove vaccination has nothing to do with Autism delaying the last shot by six to twelve months would show if the child was autistic without the shot. Such a delay would not greatly increase the risk of mass infection with Mumps Measles or Rubella. It would also prove or disprove the relationship between the autism and MMR shots.