On February 11, the 2020 Minnesota legistative session will begin. Vaccine mandates are sure to be a hot topic this session, as they were in 2019. I've been studying vaccines and their impact on health for over a decade, spending hundreds of hours reading and writing about them. Certain rhetorical phrases cycle around again and again, particularly with politicians and in the media. The points below bring these statements to light for open and honest consideration, rather than a misguided "sound-bite" that shuts down conversation. Engage with your friends and family about this important topic, before the right to medical choice is taken from you! Below are some fact-based talking points to aid in these discussions.
This critique cites government sources, peer-reviewed scientific research, as well as reputable information from education and advocacy groups. In some cases, links are provided to secondary sources rather than a primary source so the reader has the ability to explore a particular topic in depth, including a primary sources referenced there.
Vaccine Safety and Research
“Immunizations are safe.”
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Not according to the Supreme Court or the U.S. Congress in 2011. Vaccines are “unavoidably unsafe,” according to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986.
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Vaccines have been recalled in the past. So have many other products created by the same manufacturers.
“A lot of research goes into making vaccines safe for your child.”
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Vaccine research groups are often small and done without true placebos.
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Pharmaceutical companies lack financial and legal motivation to produce safe vaccines. Since 1986, they can no longer be sued for damages due to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act.
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Much of the “research” done on vaccines is taken from post-marketing data monitoring, after the vaccine is released to the public. Many side-effects are not discovered until the vaccine is commonly used.
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Equating “monitoring” with “research” is inherently flawed, since reported vaccine injuries are estimated to be only 1% of actual injuries. As many as 1 in 40 vaccinations result in injuries.
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There are no clinical studies proving the safety of the CDC’s total childhood vaccination schedule, even if individual vaccines are tested.
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Few longitudinal studies are done on vaccinated children verses unvaccinated. Those that have been done show that “Vaccination Increases Risk of Allergic Rhinitis (30X), Allergy (3.1X), ADHD (4.2X), Autism (4.2X) Eczema (2.9X), Learning Disability (5.2X) and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (3.7X).”
- In its most recent summit regarding vaccination, the doctors and scientists at from the World Health Organization express concern about vaccine ingredients and lack of testing.
"Reactions to vaccines are extremely rare.”
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How rare? Which vaccine? Families should be informed of the specific risk of reaction/injury for each individual vaccine and be allowed to decide if the risk is worth the benefit for their individual child.
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Many studies show convincing evidence that vaccines cause a host of specific maladies.
- As many as 1 out of 39 children react to vaccines.
- Nearly 20% of children under the age of five admitted to the ER for drug interactions are suffering a vaccine injury.
- As few as 1% of adverse reactions are reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
"The science is settled."
- Science, by its very nature, is never settled. Scientific theory is constantly reinterpreted through research and experiment.
- Well-respected doctors and scientists urge for more studies to be done. They don't believe anything is settled.
- Over 1,000 peer-review scientific studies raise concerns about vaccines.
- Vaccine science cannot be settled when there are still many studies that have never taken place. For instance, there are no studies on the effects of alumium in the brains of children.
- Cooperation among the vaccine industry, the CDC, and the FDA creates conflicts of interest, which call into question the authenticity of their research.
- Science is a system of acquiring knowledge. Observation is used to draw conclusions. Families that see their children regress or die within hours or days of vaccination are observing and making practical conclusions that any rational person would make.
- Consensus of the majority does not make truth. Freedom of speech and intelligent discussion allow truth to be brought to light. Rejecting conversation based on the "science is settled" sentiment shuts down the process of informed consent.
- History shows us that the medical profession and the government have been wrong about things in the past; it makes sense to be cautious and consider medical procedures from all angles, even if the benefits of vaccination may outweigh the risks for some individuals.
“There is no scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism.”
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The word cause is not the same as a link or connection. That being said, there is a lot of scientific evidence that links and connects vaccines to neurotoxicity and brain inflammation, which can prompt autistic symptoms in children. You can start your search here, with dozens and dozens of peer-reviewed scientific studies.
- An Oregon doctor had his patients' records examined by an independent analyst. This research showed 1/715 rate of autism in their unvaccinated patients, verses a 1/45 rate of autism in their fully vaccinated patients. His records are not an anomaly (original source deplatformed; see related info here).
- The U.S. Court of Federal Claims has even judged that vaccines caused encephalitis leading to autism for some individuals, and compensated families accordingly, through federal income tax dollars.
- Often, studies which have been done that show a link between autism and vaccination have been retracted without sound reason--such as a lack of birth certificates for a segment of the population, which in no way would have affected the results.
- Science shows a convincing link between vaccines and brain inflammation. But, even if it didn't, parents' own experiences, in the thousands, should be convincing enough.
- The research of Dr. Andrew Wakefield comes up as a discredit to the autism/vaccination debate, as his research was later retracted. Yes, it was retracted, but his study was taken out of context, and he was later exonerated. In addition, his research on the gut microbiome was foundational to study on the gut/brain connection widely accepted today.
- While African emigrants to America have similar autism rates to other Americans, many families never saw any autistic symptoms in their children until after their vaccinations.
- Genetics can only account for some amount of autism. The study of epigentics proves that environmental factors, such as what we inject into the body, effects the expression of those genes. Hence, someone with a genetic disposition toward autism could have the expression of autism triggered through the toxins in a vaccine, just as someone with a genetic disposition toward autism might not have autism expressed if they are not exposed to these same toxins.
Disease Prevention
“Vaccines have saved millions of lives.”
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There is no way to calculate how many lives have been saved. Many diseases actually declined before the introduction of any vaccine, due to new efforts at hygiene, sanitation, and clean water. This is an unprovable hypothesis: no one can know how wide-spread the illnesses would have actually been in the U.S.
- The vast majority of people who contract a vaccine-preventable disease do not die from it. Therefore their lives have not been saved.
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Perhaps vaccines have saved some lives, but they have also undeniably caused injury and death, likely contributing to sudden infant death, particularly in premature infants with immature immune systems.
- Instead of shipping vaccines to other countries, pharmaceutical companies could donate resources that increase access to clean water, allow better prevention (such as nets for malaria and Vitamin A for measles), as well as resources for better treatment would likely save as millions of lives as well, with no side-effects.
“If immunizations were eliminated, we would see a return of diseases.”
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Evidence shows that vaccines provide immunity, but additional evidence shows that the immunity provided by vaccines is imperfect and short-lived. Meanwhile, many safe immunity-boosting options are available, such as homeoprophylaxis, elderberry syrup, and vitamins A, C, and D.
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It is likely that if immunizations were eliminated, the United States would see a vast decrease in childhood autoimmune disorders.
"Vaccinate, or your kids will cause an epidemic!"
- In order to spread an illness, and individual must first contract the illness. Unvaccinated children are not inherently dirty, germ-ridden individuals. Often, they are the picture of robust health. Unvaccinated children are at no higher risk of spreading illness than a vaccinated child.
- There has never been a scientific study done that proves unvaccinated children start an epidemic. In fact, outbreaks have instead been traced to travelers from other countries and those who have already been vaccinated, which makes sense, especially in live-virus vaccines where the vaccinated individual can spread the illness he or she was vaccinated against.
- To be consistent, anyone banning unvaccinated children from their own homes or other public places must also ban anyone who has recently had a live-virus vaccine, or any person who may be sick but has no symptoms (even if vaccinated). They should also ban the vast majority of adults from their presence who are not up-to-date on the adult vaccine schedule.
- Those who have had the influenza vaccine are more likely to spread influenza in the air than those unvaccinated.
“The United States has recently experienced a record number of measles cases.”
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Depending on the comparison, the “record” is often only since the mid-1990s, which had more cases.
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Death from measles is extremely rare in the U.S. Most years, zero individuals have died from measles.
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Conversely, the U.S. has also experienced a record number of vaccine-related injuries and deaths, particularly from the measles vaccine. Over 400 families since 1988 have been compensated by the federal vaccine court because of injury or death from the vaccine. This should not be a shock, since vaccine manufacturers admit that the measles vaccine can cause death.
“The majority of the people who get the measles are unvaccinated.”
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Those who get measles likely recovered with lifetime immunity, with no risk for a vaccine injury, as measles is nearly always a minor illness in a healthy child.
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Vaccinated individuals can also contract the measles, and measles outbreaks have occurred in fully, or nearly-fully vaccinated persons and communities. The vaccine is no guarantee against this illness.
“Vaccine-preventable disease are making a comeback because people are not vaccinating their children.”
- Some vaccines contain a live-virus: those who are vaccinated can be infected with the measles virus and spread it to others through a process known as “shedding.”
- If a vaccine was truly effective, then it logically follows that those with the vaccination should be protected against any carrier of the disease.
- It is not logical to claim we need to vaccinate 100% of people in order to protect the weak, because outbreaks happen even in 100% vaccinated populations.
- "Herd immunity" cannot be achieved through vaccination, only natural immunity.
- Many vaccines are becoming less potent because the because of bacterial mutations, not because of the vaccine hesitant.
“Get your chicken pox shot so others don't get shingles!"
- It is true that the varicella zoster virus can reactivate in 1 in 3 adults in the form of shingles. However, those who receive the live-virus chicken pox vaccine are given the exact virus that reactivates.
- The vaccinated are at equal risk for shingles as those who have had natural chicken pox. Both have been exposed, either naturally or artificially, to the same virus.
- Shingles is more prevalent today because the normal human ecology was changed by the chicken pox vaccine.
“Vaccines build up your immune system against future attacks by a disease.”
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This is a simplistic view of the affect of a vaccine on the immune system, one of the most complicated body systems. Vaccines certainly aim to do this; however, there are two different levels of the immune system at play. Vaccines seem to stimulate immunity at one level, but damage the other level.
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Vaccine-induced immunity generally does not provide life-time immunity, hence the need for frequent boosters in the childhood vaccine schedule.
- Part of the mechanism by which live-virus vaccines work allows them to shed the virus and infect others.
- Viral and bacterial mutations caused by vaccines leave the vaccination much more impotent.
Children's Health
"Vaccines do not contain aborted fetal DNA, or maybe they did, but don't anymore."
- Listen to this scientist testify under oath about the heart-breaking relationship between abortion and vaccination.
- Planned Parenthood says that the abortion industry remains essential for making vaccines.
- As manufacturers look to the future, aborted fetal DNA remains important in testing.
- There is no question to anyone who can read a package insert that aborted human tissue is used in many vaccines. However, as the pro-life movement has grown in strength, it may be that manufacturers remove fetal DNA from the labels of vaccines, without actually changing the formula. Check here to compare.
- Not only have babies been sacrificed for vaccine manufacturing, there is ample evidence that injecting children with human DNA causes long-term damage to the living child.
“Some childhood diseases may potentially cause future problems.”
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True, but the illnesses are rare in healthy children. Conversely, some childhood vaccinations may potentially cause future problems. Read the CDC’s website, manufacturer’s package insert, and the National Vaccine Court’s website.
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There is also evidence that some childhood illnesses may potentially protect against future diseases.
"Vaccines help us have healthy children."
- Studies show that the U.S. has a high death rate for children, as well as one of the highest vaccination rates.
- 32 million American children are chronically ill, sicker than ever before in history.
- Many otherwise healthy babies die on their first day of life. After the Hepatitis B vaccine, for an illness they are highly unlikely to contract.
- Some children are much more susceptible to vaccine-damage than others. Parents ought to ask questions before consenting to this potentially life-altering medical procedure.
“Refusing or delaying vaccination puts children at risk."
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This statement conceals the fact that vaccines themselves put children at risk through toxic ingredients like aluminum, which is FDA approved at 25mcg per day, though several vaccines contain 125+mcgs. Some say that aluminum and other ingredients are safe and natural, this is not the case.
- Many of today’s children might never be exposed to the virus in the first place, or would have such a mild reaction that it never causes a complication or is diagnosed.
- The influenza vaccine is notoriously ineffective, while influenza can be with prevented with Vitamin D, without side-effects.
- For whatever good they do, vaccines have side-effects that can cause harm, which even the CDC and pharmaceutical companies admit.
“Studies show children can handle receiving many immunizations at once...”
- Very few studies researching the full vaccination schedule have been done. Vaccine "safety" research often compares one fully vaccinated group with another nearly fully-vaccinated group, and then finds that all of the children are equally sick, therefore, vaccines must be safe.
- Fully vaccinated children have more emergency medical needs than undervaccinated children, so perhaps the body doesn't actually handle many vaccinations well.
- A study done on the vaccine schedule shows significant impact on brain development and growth on baby monkeys.
- The United States Court of Federal Claims has recently judged that catching-up on vaccination caused a baby's SIDS death. The package insert for one of the vaccines in this case states, "Adverse events reported...include...SIDS,...autism, convulsion/grand mal convulsion, [and] encephalopathy...Events were include in list list because of the seriousness or frequency of reporting."
"Vaccination is obviously the right choice for your children."
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This is an opinion given without the medical history of your child. Even the CDC offers valid reasons to postpone or refuse a vaccination.
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Even a doctor with a complete medical history of your child many not know the medical history of your extended family, which can impact a child's reaction.
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Even a doctor may not understand philosophical concerns that would influence a family's decision, nor is he or she trained in matters of religion or conscience which are also valid reasons to reconsider vaccination. Most states recognize the validity of medical and/or non-medical vaccination exemptions, for reasons such as food allergies, opposition to abortion, or cost/benefit analysis.
"Mandates are necessary because 'Herd Immunity' will protect the weakest among us."
- Some illnesses for which vaccines required for school registration cannot even be spread in a school setting, such as blood-borne Hepatitis B, and Tetanus.
- People who are vaccinated may also spread illness.
- Outbreaks happen in 100% vaccinated populations. Until vaccines have a 100% efficacy rate and a 0% shedding rate, a 100% vaccination rate will not eliminate the illness.
- Exemptions should not be needed for a preventative medical procedure, that is not guaranteed to be effective, whose manufacturer cannot be sued, that has death as a possible side-effect.
- Mandates open the door to any number of future vaccines, hundreds of which are in the pipeline.
- For whatever good a vaccination might do, or whomever it might protect, losing personal freedom and liberty, and handing that control over to the government will in the end hurt more who are weak among us.
Even pro-vaccine parents are beginning to be concerned at the vehemence of scientific propaganda, media bias, and censorship against medical freedom. Use these facts in respectful conversation with others when these vaccine fallacies are brought up. Ask for citations. Bring up research the other might not know about. Respond with love. Let's win the fight for freedom for our families, for Minnesota, and for the United States!
Mrs. Marie K. MacPherson, vice president of Into Your Hands LLC, lives in Casper, Wyoming, with her husband Ryan and their children, whom she homeschools. She is a certified Classical Lutheran Educator (Consortium for Classical Lutheran Educators), author of Meditations on the Vocation of Motherhood (Old Testament vol., 2018; New Testament vol., 2023), and editor of Mothering Many: Sanity-Saving Strategies from Moms of Four or More (2016).