Episode 55 - The Anti-Vax Movement and Andrew Wakefield

Breaking Bad Science

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What if I told you that when you hear the word anti-vaxxer and you feel yourself relating to the term, it can almost exclusively be tied to one of three events? Even if it's because of something you've heard that just never really sat right with you. Nearly the entire history of the anti vaccination movement can be tied to a process called variolation, a horrible manufacturing oversight, and a modern day monster known as Andrew Wakefield. Since the beginning of this podcast we've alluded to the importance of this episode and the crazy misinformation surrounding the concept. Now, as we surpass a year of weekly episodes it's finally time to talk about vaccines, vaccination, and Mr. yes MR. not Dr. Andrew Wakefield.

References

1. Imperato, P., Imperato, G.; Smallpox Inoculation (Variolation) in East Africa with Special Reference to the Practice Among the Boran and Gabra of Northern Kenya. Journal of Community Health. 07-Aug-2014. 39 (1053 - 1062). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-014-9928-5
2. Grundy, I.; Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley [nee Lady Mary Pierrepont]. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. 23-Sep-2004. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/19029
3. Liebowitz, D.; Smallpox Vaccination: An Early Start of Modern Medicine in America. Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives. 31-Mar-2017. 7:1 (61 - 63). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/20009666.2016.1273611
4. Riedel, S.; Edward Jenner and the History of Smallpox and Vaccination. Jan-2005. 18:1 (21 - 25). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2005.11928028
5. Melnick, J., et. al.; Effectiveness of Salk Vaccine. Analysis of Virologically Confirmed Cases of Paralytic and Nonparalytic Poliomyelitis. Journal of American Medicine. 01-Apr-1961. 175: (1159 - 1162). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1961.03040130043010
6. Fitzpatrick, M.; The Cutter Incident: How America’s First Polio Vaccine Led to a Growing Vaccine Crisis. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Mar-2006. 99:3 (156).
7. 42 U.S. Code § 300aa-22 - Standards of Responsibility. Legal Information Institute Cornell Law School. 01-Oct-1988. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/300aa-22
8. Smith, R.; Andrew Wakefield - The Man Behind the MMR Controversey. The Telegraph. 29-Jan-2010. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/7091767/Andrew-Wakefield-the-man-behind-the-MMR-controversy.html

Additional References on website

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