Slow news day so time for another big pharma free commercial.

The public health authorities have propagandized for years that our mandated vaccines are "safe and effective." Now we learn that in one important vaccine there is a trade-off between the safe, but ineffective, new vaccine and the less safe, but more effective, old vaccine. We also learned earlier this winter that the flu vaccine falls far short of complete effectiveness, especially among the older population that is more vulnerable to the flu. Isn't it about time that the public health authorities adopted a policy of truthfulness about the risks and benefits of vaccines? They have suffered a great loss of credibility in the last couple of years, and its going to be very difficult to rebuild that credibility among a population that really doesn't want to be treated as guinea pigs by our public health establishment.

alanson Mar. 11, 13 8:36 AM The public health authorities have propagandized for years that our mandated vaccines are "safe and effective." Now we learn that in one important vaccine there is a trade-off between the safe, but ineffective, new vaccine and the less safe, but more effective, old vaccine. We also learned earlier this winter that the flu vaccine falls far short of complete effectiveness, especially among the older population that is more vulnerable to the flu. Isn't it about time that the public health authorities adopted a policy of truthfulness about the risks and benefits of vaccines? ....____________________ Most people don't understand statistical risk. No vaccine is going to be 100% safe or effective. These individuals who refuse to immunize are putting the public at real risk. In the case of the flu vaccine, it is challenging to develop vaccines for influenza RNA viruses due to their multiple serotypes.

"Most people don't understand statistical risk." I disagree. What most people don't understand is that they are being propagandized every every step of the way. Much bigger problem than the shot.

Why do we not look to naturally boost our immune systems vs only looking to half-baked, partially-safe drugs? How is our food interrupting an immunity system and the endocrine systems to make us more vulnerable with or without a shot? Totally agree with alanson and infocus.

t_stevens Mar. 11, 13 11:03 AM "Most people don't understand statistical risk." I disagree. What most people don't understand is that they are being propagandized every every step of the way. Much bigger problem than the shot.______________ Having lived in the days before the polio vaccine, I respectfully submit that you don't know what you're talking about.