Two Anti-vax questions

[Skeptic Guy]

After intense scrutiny for negative effects from Thimerosal, none have been found. This preservative has decades long safety track record. People are afraid of the names of things despite the science which confirms their safety.

"Swine" flu vaccine must be dangerous, even though there is scant difference between the seasonal flu vaccine and the swine flu vaccine.

Aluminum, mercury and formaldehyde sound like scary vaccine components so oooowww, they must be bad. All the while infections that kill people are 'natural' so they must be safe.

A friend of mine told me that mercury didn't belong in your body. I pointed out that pure chemicals such as sodium, chlorine, oxygen, etc. are toxic by themselves, but are routinely ingested in the varioius compounds and amounts.

You can also tell them that they get more mercury in a can of tuna than in an injection.

 

[Ethan Thane Athen]

If these folks are questioning the need for the smallpox vaccinations I think they should be asked when they last heard of anyone getting it.

Funny how these supposedly "unnecessary" vaccines completely eradicated a very deadly disease.

Er, logically, if the disease is 'completely eradicated' then the vaccine is unnecessary....

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Er, logically, if the disease is 'completely eradicated' then the vaccine is unnecessary....

The 'disease' has been completely eradicated. The 'virus' still exists in a couple labs in the US and the old Soviet Union (don't know where the stored virus currently is there). The eradicated disease could be reintroduced into the population just as small pox could conceivably re-evolve from related viruses.