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At the Royal
Australasian College of Physicians meeting in Hobart, Prof. Peter McIntyre
addressed the risks and benefits of childhood vaccination. McIntyre, the deputy
director of the National Center for Immunization, conceded that there were side
effects of vaccines that could not be avoided, but he argued that the benefits
of childhood vaccinations are more compelling than the risks. But if there are
some small risks, he said, those risks are worth taking because the benefits
[of vaccination] are so substantial.
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knowledge or opinions of the publisher, and is not to be construed or intended
as providing medical or legal advice. The decision whether or not to vaccinate
is an important and complex issue and should be made by you, and you alone, in
consultation with your health care provider.
"A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth."
-- Albert Einstein, letter to a friend, 1901
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
"What's the point of vaccination if it doesn't protect you from the unvaccinated?"
-- Sandy Gottstein
"Who gets to decide what the greater good is and how many will be sacrificed to it?"