Posts Tagged ‘vaccines’
I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a presentation for the The Ontario Public Health Convention next week, where I’ll be speaking, with occupational therapist Kim Hébert, about the anti-vaccine movement and social media (SM): how antivaccine advocates use it, and the challenges and opportunities for public health advocates. I’m pleased to see Seth Mnookin, […]
Filed under: articles | 2 Comments
Tags: antivaccinationism, vaccines
Few groups are more hazardous to public health than the anti-vaccine movement — because there’s a body count affiliated with their actions. When vaccination rates drop, communicable diseases re-emerge, and people suffer. While anti-vaccine sentiment will probably persist as long as vaccines are around, we’re fortunate that vaccination rates, on balance, remain very high. In […]
Filed under: articles | Closed
Tags: vaccines
This year is shaping up to be a challenging one for measles control. Once considered eradicated in North America, it’s seen a bit of a resurgence in the States, almost entirely among the unvaccinated. From the Public Health Agency of Canada:
Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Tags: measles, MMR, vaccines
What’s infecting us?
In the long run, our odds of death are 100%. But what’s going to kill us? I really like this nice graphic from National Geographic, using stats from the US National Safety Council, which illustrates the big killers. Source I find this graphic fascinating. Of course it doesn’t include every way to go – just […]
Filed under: articles | 2 Comments
Tags: hepatitis, hiv, hpv, infectious disease, public health, vaccines
This article was co-written with Kim Hebert, Occupational Therapist. Immunization has transformed our lives. This single invention has prevented more Canadian deaths in the past 50 years than any other health intervention. Our parents and grandparents accepted illness and death from diseases like smallpox, diptheria, and polio as a fact of life. Mass vaccination completely […]
Filed under: articles | 14 Comments
Tags: autism, false balance, MMR, vaccines
As much as I support vaccines, I see the short term consequences. Vaccines can be painful. Kids don’t like them, and parents don’t like seeing their children suffer. That this transient pain is the most common consequence of gaining protection from fatal illnesses seems like a fair trade-off to me. But that’s not the case […]
Filed under: articles | 2 Comments
Tags: anti-vaccination, pain, pediatrics, vaccines
The holidays are upon us, and it’s traditionally the time of year when celebrate our good fortune, and pause to give thanks. Exchanging gifts is a big part of of the holidays, and it can sometimes be challenging to find something meaningful, that the recipient will appreciate. Chocolates, toys, and gifts sometime become our “go-to” […]
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Tags: #vaxfax, scott gavura, vaccines
Science advocates have the facts, and science on our side. So why is anti-vaccine sentiment growing? That’s the subject of my latest post, over at Science-Based Medicine. Go check it out.
Filed under: updates | Closed
Tags: vaccines
Canadian Flu Update 2010
We’re entering flu (influenza) season in North American and the annual vaccination campaigns have started. Here in Canada we’re fortunate to have a health system that covers the cost of immunizations for residents. In Ontario, where I’m located, the province funds a universal immunization program: everyone is eligible for a free flu shot. Here’s some […]
Filed under: articles | Closed
Tags: #vaxfax, influenza, vaccines
Time for some #vaxfax
Anti-vaccine advocates have declared November 1-6 to be Vaccine Awareness Week, and intend to use the week to spread unfounded fear about vaccines. Here in Canada, we already had our own Immunization Awareness Week, but I’ll happily take up the antivax challenge. I’ll be joining other science advocates to counter-detail the fearmongering and outright misinformation […]
Filed under: announcements | Closed
Tags: #vaxfax, public health, vaccines
