The measles outbreak from Disneyland is a potent reminder of A) how infectious measles actually is and B) what happens when people don’t vaccinate. However, despite a mountain of evidence that vaccination is safe and does not cause autism or immune dysfunction or really anything terrible at all people still refuse. I live in a …
Tag Archives: vaccines
Each case of measles costs $33,000 – there were over 600 cases in 2014
A measles outbreak has been linked to Disneyland, California. There are now 9 confirmed cases, 7 in California and 2 in Utah, and all visited Disneyland or the California Adventure Park between December 15 and December 20, 2014. Only one of those infected was full vaccinated (two were too young to be vaccinated). The health …
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What ingredient specifically scares you in the flu vaccine and why?
Dangerous ingredients, like toxins, antifreeze, and mercury, are touted by many as reasons to decline vaccination against influenza. However, toxin is an inaccurate term regarding vaccines (a toxin is a poisonous substance made by cells or organisms and is definitely not in any vaccine), mercury is a non issue (see below), and there is no antifreeze …
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Pregnancy and influenza – new data shows death rate of 25% for those who get critically ill
Influenza has reached pandemic proportions and the spike in flu activity is much earlier than expected this season. Widespread influenza is being reported in 43 states. Therefore it is timely to review the article in January’s Obstetrics and Gynecology concerning severe influenza infection and pregnancy. Epidemiologists from the Department of Public Health in California pulled the data …
Thank you for getting your flu shot
This weekend the kids and I had our influenza immunizations. There is always a difficult lead up as Oliver has severe anxiety around every medical procedure. An EKG (painless heart rhythm test) and a throat swab cause extreme fear and often tears and anything with a needle, well, let’s just say that’s on a whole …
Don’t just blame Jenny McCarthy for the measles outbreak, blame Dr. Bob too
Measles is on its way to an all time high. In 2000 Measles was eliminated (meaning some travelers from areas with low vaccine penetration might arrive in the US with the disease, but no case came from US), but has been slowly creeping back. Since 2008 this has been more than a trickle. Let’s put the …
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Impact of Katie Couric’s misinformation on HPV vaccine in one image
After viewing Katie Couric’s show an acquaintance’s mother sent her this e-mail. Because many people believe the health information they see on TV, especially when it comes form a source like Couric who has been known, until this point anyway, as a trusted journalist. Kate’s Couric’s “take” was about as scientific as a show entitled, …
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HPV vaccine almost eliminates genital warts for young women, new study
While the HPV vaccine is an important weapon against cervical cancer, one of the vaccines (Gardasil) also provides coverage against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts. As this vaccine targets 4 types of HPV (16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer as well as 6 and 11) it is called a quadrivalent …
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Vaccines and Jenny McCarthy: the Oprah mea culpa interview doctors want to see
I am sure Oprah had spectacular ratings for her Lance Armstrong interview and so, in the spirit of truth-telling, I have another mea culpa show for Ms. Winfrey to consider: vaccine safety. Until Jenny McCarthy got major air time the link between vaccines and autism was relatively fringe. But with Oprah in September of 2007 McCarthy, …
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20% of kids in grade 9 have had oral sex or why your pre-teen should be vaccinated against HPV
Initiating the vaccine series for the human papilloma virus (HPV) by age 11 or 12 is recommended, although many parents balk at a vaccine to prevent a sexually transmitted virus at this tenderly perceived age because, “12 year olds shouldn’t be having sex” or better yet, “My 12-year-old won’t be having sex.” (Just to recap, HPV …
Dr. Jen Gunter 