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'''Vaccination critics''' are those who, on principled or on other grounds, are opposed to some or all aspects of mass [[vaccination]] programs as a means for protecting [[public health]]. Since the mid 19th century, when [[inoculation]]s became a standard means of developing [[herd immunity]] in [[medicine]], many groups and individuals have fought against such medical policies. |
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Their identity and the repeating arguments, which change little with time or the vaccine discussed, are more interesting as a single topic than as a part of the discussion of [[infectious disease]]s and their control. |
Their identity and the repeating arguments, which change little with time or the vaccine discussed, are more interesting as a single topic than as a part of the discussion of [[infectious disease]]s and their control. |
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== Time course == |
== Time course == |
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Widespread vaccination began in the early 1800s, after [[Edward Jenner]]. The public health is a concern of communities, and modern states assert an interest in and authority over certain aspects of it. In the UK, Vaccination Acts of 1840 to 1853 made vaccination compulsory. The British state at that time was neither particularly paternalistic/authoritarian, nor particularly laissez-faire, ergo, this was a response to a matter regarded of grave importance. (Among other elements of the legislation, variolation which is less effective and more hazardous than vaccination, was banned.) |
Widespread vaccination began in the early 1800s, after [[Edward Jenner]]. The public health is a concern of communities, and modern states assert an interest in and authority over certain aspects of it. In the UK, Vaccination Acts of 1840 to 1853 made vaccination compulsory. The British state at that time was neither particularly paternalistic/authoritarian, nor particularly laissez-faire, ergo, this was a response to a matter regarded of grave importance. (Among other elements of the legislation, variolation which is less effective and more hazardous than vaccination, was banned.) |
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Revision as of 10:19, 28 January 2006
Vaccination critics are those who, on principled or on other grounds, are opposed to some or all aspects of mass vaccination programs as a means for protecting public health. Since the mid 19th century, when inoculations became a standard means of developing herd immunity in medicine, many groups and individuals have fought against such medical policies.
Their identity and the repeating arguments, which change little with time or the vaccine discussed, are more interesting as a single topic than as a part of the discussion of infectious diseases and their control.
Wolfe and Sharp (2002) argue that between the 19th and 20th century the arguments against vaccination used by anti-vaccinationists have remained essentially unchanged.
Time course
Widespread vaccination began in the early 1800s, after Edward Jenner. The public health is a concern of communities, and modern states assert an interest in and authority over certain aspects of it. In the UK, Vaccination Acts of 1840 to 1853 made vaccination compulsory. The British state at that time was neither particularly paternalistic/authoritarian, nor particularly laissez-faire, ergo, this was a response to a matter regarded of grave importance. (Among other elements of the legislation, variolation which is less effective and more hazardous than vaccination, was banned.)
Nothing less would drive such a change in the relationship of state and subject.
A prompt backlash occurred, which after a time settled on arguments that the vaccine was dangerous or ineffective.
In the United States, smallpox outbreaks had become contained by the latter half of the 19th century. Vaccination had been widespread in the early part the century, and before that smallpox had been widespread. Vaccination then fell into disuse. In the 1870s the disease became epidemic, the population therefore being demonstrated to be susceptible.
Anti-vaccination activity also increased in the United States in the latter part of the 19th century. In 1879, after a visit to New York by William Tebb, the leading British anti-vaccinationist, the Anti-Vaccination Society of America was founded. Subsequently, the New England Anti-Compulsory Vaccination League was formed in 1882 and the Anti-Vaccination League of New York City in 1885.
Character of anti-vaccinationist material
Anti-vaccination writing, and writing by anti-vaccinationists, on the Web and previously on paper, is characterised by a number of distinct differences from medical and other scientific literature. As well as the underlying thesis to argue and subtle elements of style better analysed by a professor of English, these include:
- promiscuous copying and reduplication[citation needed]
- Tendency to be without corrections, even when an initial report is shown (see Talk for example)
- Deficiency of references to allow readers, should they wish, to check sources eg [1] and above
- Personal sometimes scurrilous attacks on individual doctors
- An underlying acceptance that, 'of course', the whole of medicine is aimed at doing harm, eg [2]
In addition, there is a considerable overlap with homeopathy and conspiracy theorists, and a subset of the material shades into the appearance of psychosis.[citation needed]
Vaccine critics
- Viera Scheibner
- Robert Mendelsohn
- Beddow Bayly
- Charles Creighton
- Neil Miller
- Barbara Loe Fisher
- Walter Hadwen
- Archie Kalokerinos
Anti-Vaccinists quotes
- "The greatest threat of childhood diseases lies in the dangerous and ineffectual efforts made to prevent them through mass immunization.....There is no convincing scientific evidence that mass inoculations can be credited with eliminating any childhood disease."--Dr Robert Mendelsohn, M.D.
See also
National Anti-Vaccination League