Saturday 14 August 2010

Wendy Lydall - irresponsible vaccine denialist


Many visitors to this blog complain that I am closed-minded, cowardly, offensive, litigious, vitriolic, or perhaps even mentally unbalanced.


Well, they might be right.

In the meantime, though, I'm going to continue writing letters for the simple reason that quackery kills people.


(Image credit - anonymisation by me)

Wendy Lydall is an Austrlian author whose book is called "Raising A Vaccine Free [sic] Child".

The two children above appear on the book's front cover.
I do hope they are models, and not actual future victims of the bizarre anti-vaccination movement.

Wendy helpfully provides an indication of her stance on child vaccination, including such fascinating subject headings like:

VACCINE MYTH NUMBER THREE: "When vaccinated children get the disease that the vaccine was supposed to prevent, they get it less badly"

VACCINE MYTH NUMBER FIVE: "Without vaccination there would be epidemics"

VACCINE MYTH NUMBER SIX: "If enough people are vaccinated, the disease will die out"

VACCINE MYTH NUMBER ELEVEN: "Vaccines are scientifically tested for safety and effectiveness"

"Medical malice - Contamination and the origin of AIDS"

The advert which promotes the book in this month's Nexus Magazine is even more irresponsible. It claims

  • The "vaccine industry" has "introduced coercive measures in many countries in order to achieve compliance [in vaccination for children]"
  • Vaccination is "an unscientific...procedure"
  • The book promoted by the advert is a "scientifically-based guide to the myths, facts, problems and solutions associated with raising a vaccine free [sic] child"

All of the claims above are, needless to say, industrial-strength bullshit. Here's my urgent protest to the ASA.

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-September 2010, Vol 17 No 5, p63).

The advert, for Wendy Lydall, promotes a book, "RAISING A VACCINE FREE [sic] CHILD".

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of ten sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"Vaccination is presented to parents as a safe, scientific procedure, which no responsible parent would query. But an increasing number of parents are questioning the validity of this 200 year old [sic] ritual. The vaccine industry has responded to this skepticism [sic] by introducing coercive measures in many countries in order to achieve compliance. Since its inception in 1795 by Edward Jenner, vacccination has been an unscientific, commercially-based procedure, which is aligned with powerful pharmaceutical interests. At the same time, infectious diseases pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of children in all strata of society. Anti-vaccinationists make statements which contradict official pronouncements. Some activists make wild claims for alternative methods of disease prevention. How does a parent find a way through the maze of conflicting information? In this book, Wendy Lydall presents a comprehensive, scientifically-based guide to the myths, facts, problems and solutions associated with raising a vaccine free [sic] child."

2. The advertiser's website [1] gives a good indication of the contents of the book, which contains subjects headings like:

(i) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER THREE: "When vaccinated children get the disease that the vaccine was supposed to prevent, they get it less badly"

(ii) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER FIVE: "Without vaccination there would be epidemics"

(iii) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER SIX: "If enough people are vaccinated, the disease will die out"

(iv) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER ELEVEN: "Vaccines are scientifically tested for safety and effectiveness"

(v) "Medical malice - Contamination and the origin of AIDS"

3. My complaint concerns exclusively the following claims from the text of the advert itself:

(i) The "vaccine industry" has "introduced coercive measures in many countries in order to achieve compliance [in vaccination for children]"

(ii) Vaccination is "an unscientific...procedure"

(iii) The book promoted by the advert is a "scientifically-based guide to the myths, facts, problems and solutions associated with raising a vaccine free [sic] child"

4. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of these claims.

5. Under Section 3.3, I challenge whether the claims "exaggerate the value, accuracy, scientific validity or practical usefulness" of the book.

6. Under Section 2.1, I challenge whether the claims are "truthful".

7. Under Section 2.2, I challenge whether the advert has been "prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and to society."

8. Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the claims "exploit the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers".

9. Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the claims are misleading.

10. Under Section 9.1, I challenge whether the advert "cause[s] fear or distress without good reason", and I challenge whether the advert uses "shocking claims...merely to attract attention".

11. Under Section 10.1, I challenge whether the claims encourage unsafe practices (namely, refusing to vaccinate one's children).

12. Under Section 50.3, I challenge whether the advert discourages esssential treatment.

13. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.

Footnotes:

[1] http://www.vaccinefreechild.com/contents.html
"

37 comments:

  1. You are so blatantly in the pockets of Big Pharma it's pathetic. Vaccines are filth. In the words of Dr Maurice Hilleman, the man that created the polio vaccine and brought us AIDs along with it "Vaccines have to be considered the bargain basement technology for the twentieth century"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaokq8v9JPI

    Quit harassing those that see no authority in you or the criminal class whose wares you peddle.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those monthly cheques from Big Pharma sure do come in useful. Vacations in the the South Pacific don't come cheap, you know...

    ReplyDelete
  3. OK Sceptical Writer...
    Here is a challenge for you.

    $10,000 reward offered for scientific proof of H1N1 vaccine safety and effectiveness

    http://www.naturalnews.com/027985_H1N1_vaccines_safety.html

    10 Questions Doctors refuse to Answer

    http://www.naturalnews.com/027258_vaccines_flu_vaccine.html

    By Andrew Moulden MD, PhD; www.BrainGuardMD.com
    Medical & Neurobehavioral Therapies Director

    http://vactruth.com/2009/08/03/vaccinations-are-causing-impaired-blood-flow-ischemia-chronic-illness-disease-and-death-for-us-all-hp/

    All Vaccines Are Poison
    by Eleanora McBean Ph.D., N.D.

    http://medicalvoices.org/en/vaccination/


    LIST OF VACCINE FILLERS: Officially administered by design with every vaccine provided to the public -

    In addition to the viral and bacterial RNA or DNA that is part of the vaccines, here are the fillers:
    aluminum hydroxide
    aluminum phosphate
    ammonium sulfate
    amphotericin B
    animal tissues: pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain,
    dog kidney, monkey kidney,
    chick embryo, chicken egg, duck egg
    calf (bovine) serum
    betapropiolactone
    fetal bovine serum
    formaldehyde
    formalin
    gelatin
    glycerol
    human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)
    hydrolized gelatin
    monosodium glutamate (MSG)
    neomycin
    neomycin sulfate
    phenol red indicator
    phenoxyethanol (antifreeze)
    potassium diphosphate
    potassium monophosphate
    polymyxin B
    polysorbate 20
    polysorbate 80
    porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein
    residual MRC5 proteins
    sorbitol
    sucrose
    thimerosal (mercury)
    tri(n)butylphosphate,
    VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells
    washed sheep red blood cells

    Now please think about that!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Wendy,

    I'm most disappointed to read that the "$10,000 reward offered for scientific proof of H1N1 vaccine safety and effectiveness" expired at the end of March.

    Would you care to put up $10,000 of your own money? American, or Australian, dollars; I'm not fussy.

    I'll take a flu shot. If I live, you pay me $10,000. If I die or develop autism, my estate will pay you $10,000.

    Do we have a deal?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Refer your letter to www.naturalnews.com

    Now, would you like more proof that Vaccines damage people? Talk to the parents of Women that have been damged by Gardasil.

    Are you aware that Mercury is one of the most TOXIC Substances on the Planet. Are aware what it does to the Brain. Go and argue with Dr Russel Blaylock, Board Certified Neurosurgeon. Go and argue with all the Doctors at www. MedicalVoices.org

    Regards,

    Francis Kuhn

    ReplyDelete
  6. So if you were dyeing of a serious illness, you would only want the drug option?

    You wouldn't want to try a safer herbal option or a more natural method then? You only want people to have the drug options, despite hundreds of thousands of deaths from side effects...

    you want to suppress all information that could lead to people getting improved health with no serious side effects..??

    drugs are a relatively new invention, there is a great history of herbal medicine in many cultures, but you would like this all banned?

    No one disagrees that there are out there a lot of hype in the natural health arena, its important that information is regulated, but you and I know, that is not the real reason these advertising rules exist,

    its because the drug companies have enormouse power and influence, and they lose a lot of money when people use the more natural methods to heal, ie nutrition and herbs. You cannot patent herbs!!!

    Notice that the person running this site, has not to my knowledge mentioned that they have even tried a nutritional product to see if it works? or a herbal product.....this person is ignorant.

    I wonder why our top selling product gets more and more customers? BECAUSE IT BLOODY WORKS THATS WHY..

    but sicko's like you, want our health freedom removed, you must be a plant by the pharma cartel..either that or you are a vegetable, because you really are not doing anyone a service with your witch hunt....

    LUTON seems to have its fare share of loony tunes!

    Do something useful with your life and leave innocent people to get on with their living...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Sceptical Writer,

    Time to get educated:

    The Origins of Vaccines
    Jennifer Craig, PhD, BSN, MA, DHom

    http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/webinar-series/medical-doctors-vaccine-webinar-series/the-origins-of-vaccines.html

    ---------


    A Medical School Professor of Immunology's Lesson for All Physicians

    Stephen Marini, PhD, DC, MS

    http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/webinar-series/medical-doctors-vaccine-webinar-series/a-medical-school-professor-of-immunologys-lesson-for-all-physicians.html

    ------------

    How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron Degeneration

    University of Calgary
    Department of Physiology & Biophysics

    http://movies.commons.ucalgary.ca/mercury

    -------------
    Mercury and Heart Disase

    https://www.factsontoxicity.com/index2.php

    ------------

    Eli Lilly Material Data Safety Sheet for Thimerosal

    http://www.whale.to/vaccine/eli_lilly_material_data.html

    -----------

    The Proof of Damage done by Vaccines:

    Teen girl suffers permanent brain damage after cervical cancer vaccine

    http://www.naturalnews.com/027188_NaturalNews_cancer_cervical_cancer.html

    ------

    Second girl from Natalie school in 999 drama after cervical jab

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1217076/Second-girl-Natalie-school-999-drama-cervical-jab.html

    ------
    Vaccines: Sterilisation & Abortion

    http://www.whale.to/m/sterile.html

    ------

    Nazi connections to Allopathy

    http://www.whale.to/b/nazi_allopathy.html

    ------

    Now see what Vaccine has done to Women

    IMMUNOCONTRACEPTIVE HIDDEN IN THE FLU VACCINE

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R005vkMmk1s

    ------

    Now, this Statement "All of the claims above are, needless to say, industrial-strength bullshit" needs correcting, including the Foul language. In addition, an Apology is owed to the
    recipient of your statement.

    Lastly, I personally know of someone whose relative died as a direct result of a Polio Vaccination many years ago.

    Regards,

    Francis

    ReplyDelete
  8. "Nazi connections to Allopathy"?

    For a moment there, Francis, I thought you were being serious.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Come on, everyone! Sceptical Writer is the ORIGINAL numbskull who gets his kicks out of attacking every logical CURE for disease. I am wondering if he has had a brain-ectomy. He certainly has putrid air (at best) in his skull. I found this site by accident today, when trying to find some sensible comments on the Tibetan Rings. My first visit - and the last. I would suggest that all thinking people abandon this site and let the morons get on with it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Sceptical Writer,

    Now would you like to see what the H1N1 Vaccine has done to Expectant Mothers?

    Anecdotal Instances of Miscarriages, Still Births, Premature Births,and Other Health Problems Reported by Women After Their
    Influenza-Vaccine Inoculation(s) as of 5 February 2010

    http://www.progressiveconvergence.com/miscarriage-cases.htm

    and

    Gardasil Vaccine Damage

    http://www.associatedproducers.com/projects/documents/GardasilPrimerFinal_FastStart_768K.mp4

    and

    Australia bans flu vaccines in children after vomiting, fevers, seizures.

    http://www.naturalnews.com/029586_Australia_vaccines.html

    and

    Sweden opens investigation into neurological damage caused by Pandemrix

    http://birdflu666.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/sweden-opens-investigation-into-neurological-damage-caused-by-pandemrix/

    and

    India stops vaccine programmes after four children die within minutes of vaccination (August 27, 2010)

    http://birdflu666.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/india-stops-vaccine-programmes-after-four-children-die-within-minutes-of-vaccine/

    To date, I notice that there is still no Apology
    to the Wendy Lydall. If you are a real Gentleman
    you should do the right thing and Apologize.

    Regards,

    Francis

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Francis,

    By all means, continue to send me all your favourite links - freedom of expression, and all that - but please don't expect me to read them unless they're rigorous clinical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sceptical Writer

    I can only guess that you are suggesting that the Victims of Vaccine Damage are not telling the truth. I also guess that you are suggesting that nobody has ever been damaged by Vaccine nor has anyone died as a result of being Vaccinated.
    Then I suggest that you start doing some research about NSSM 200, the very Document that reveals the Plan for mass Depopulation.

    Regards,

    Francis

    ReplyDelete
  13. Medically Qualified Doctors have spoken out freely of the dangers of Vaccination. Anyone choosing to ignore the very real dangers and terrible toxins in vaccinations is to be pitied for their closed mind.

    Since when did peer reviewed journals constiture the HOLY GRAIL of truth as regarding what can truly work to heal a persons ills? After all its still drugs..and we all know how CORRUPT THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY REALLY IS DON'T WE..

    its the crime of the century to say that anyone can help a person with cancer to heal..heresy..punished by death if they could have their way..

    notice how this site owner has never even tried herbs or nutrition....they just love their druggy habit.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anyone who truly believes that back in the 1700s it was possible to mix a noxious concoction out of festering cow pox pus or smallpox pustule juice and rub it into a flesh wound without causing tens of thousands of cases of septicaemia and fatalities is smoking something stronger than tobacco. Hey, they didn't even understand the BASICS of antisepsis. They must have killed thousands. And they did, if you read the contemporary accounts. Similarly, anyone who can believe that neurotoxins like mercury and aluminium somehow aren't neurotoxins when they are included in an injection is also suffering from a logic failure.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Anonymous!

    Please identify a vaccine in current use in the UK which includes among its ingredients mercury.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Sceptical Writer

    Well done and good for you! I bet that not one of the idiot posters above has a scientific qualification to their name. But I guess they think all the scientists (real ones - as opposed to those with a PhD in Herbollocks from the University of Narnia) are in on the conspiracy too, eh? In fact, I bet they think of scientists as a species of warlock.

    Anyway. When I was a child there were lots of older people in harnesses and leg stirrups as a result of polio contracted when they were infants. This was in the UK! We don't see this anymore. My generation thanks God for the Polio vaccine.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Sceptical Writer,
    You asked about Mercury (Thimerosal) in UK vaccines? .....Er... how about this report from the Sunday Express 9th Jan 2011 headed:

    'CHILD FLU VACCINE CONTAINS MERCURY'.
    'Up to a million under-fives have been inoculated against the flu virus with a controversial vaccine containing poisonous mercury.'

    Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/222000/Child-flu-vaccine-contains-mercuryChild-flu-vaccine-contains-mercury#ixzz1BWtm0fB3

    Don't you just love it when Universe steps in and spoils a great plan?!

    Love and Hugs to you.

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Anonymous?

    I'm afraid that reading the Sunday Express usually brings me out in a nasty rash - lucky, then, that I didn't have to read past the first three paragraphs.

    Pandemrix - the vaccine in question - contains a mercury derivative which clinical trials have shown is (completely) safe.

    This derivative was "phased out" in 2004 - not because of safety fears, but because doctors were worried that parents would read bullshit headlines in the Sunday Sexpress and refuse to vaccinate their children.

    As I stressed above - there are no vaccines in use which contain poisonous mercury.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Shame you only read the first three paras - maybe if you read at bit more you might become more educated.

    Here's the rest:

    'The preservative, called thimerosal, has been linked with autism and developmental disorders in children and was withdrawn from childhood vaccines in the United States and parts of Europe 10 years ago.

    Yet the UK government has always insisted there is no persuasive evidence it poses a health risk. When it was withdrawn, Labour health minister Rosie Winterton said the move was part of “a global goal to minimise environmental exposure to mercury”.

    However, many experts disagree. Dr Richard Halvorsen, author of the book, The Truth About Vaccines, said: “Thimerosal is an extremely toxic substance and known poison to the brain.

    “There is enough convincing evidence linking thimerosal with developmental disorders and learning problems in individual children to warrant its removal from any childhood vaccine.

    “It is irresponsible to administer a jab with little proven benefit which contains potentially harmful toxic substances.”

    Jackie Fletcher, of support group Jabs, which backs parents who fear vaccines have harmed their children, said: “Thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines, now they are readministering it. This is worrying.”

    Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/222000/Child-flu-vaccine-contains-mercuryChild-flu-vaccine-contains-mercury#ixzz1BhdSZiC7

    Do you really still hold your position that no UK vaccines contain mercury (Thimerosal)?

    You definitely need the Love and Hugs!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Anonymous,

    I have never claimed that no vaccines contain Thimerosal. I have consistently claimed that no vaccines contain mercury (and they never have.)

    Please provide documentary evidence that Thimerosal presents health risks. Stories published in the Daily Express are not acceptable; the Daily Express is not a medical journal. Please provide published research from peer-reviewed medical journals.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Sceptical,

    Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound (an organomercurial).

    Let me try that again;

    THIMEROSAL is a MERCURY-CONTAINING organic compound.

    http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228

    What part of 'mercury-containing' are you struggling to grasp?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Anonymous,

    You are absolutely wrong. But before I spend half my evening explaining the reason, can you confirm that you understand the difference between an atom and a molecule?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Curiously Complementary7 February 2011 at 16:42

    I'd like to ask SLW what his/her qualifications are?
    I could list mine for you, but it isn't really relevant.
    All that needs to be said is that I feel very sorry for you & the fact that you have such a mundane, unsatisfying life that you must spend your days ripping apart those who are giving the public a choice rather than allowing people to carry on blindly assuming that the pharmaceutical companies are god and have their best interests at heart. We all know that the pharmaceutical companies are purely money-driven & couldn't really give a damn about anybody's long-term health prospects!
    You are clearly feeling very threatened by the complementary medicine community & I wonder where the basis for this comes from? (No I am not trying to psycho-analyse you, merely curious as to the root of your anger and need to ridicule)
    Hippocrates said that there are two types of medicine: allopathy & homeopathy. For many centuries it was the homeopathic branch which was predominantly followed and trusted and succeeded. Allopathy only overtook when the pharmaceutical company was born! The two approaches can work very well alongside each other - indeed, the term 'complementary' is used by those practitioners who believe this to be true.
    Why can you not allow people to make their own choices about their own health and well-being and how they would like to deal with that when supplied with ALL the information possible, instead of trying to limit & criticise their choices?

    Oh, & I do know the difference between an atom & a molecule!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ah, the old "I have no evidence, so I'll portray my opponent as narrow-minded" gambit. Classy!

    At my old university debating society, people who tried that tactic were made to stand in the corner, wearing a funny hat...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Curiously Complementary8 February 2011 at 22:14

    Ha ha, I don't think I need to portray you as narrow-minded, you do a very good job of that yourself.
    I have plenty of evidence thank you but perhaps if you took the time to read my post correctly you would see that I was asking you a number of reasonable and polite questions. You appear to be unable to offer me the same courtesy by answering these in a similar manner, instead you feel the need to ridicule.
    I have every respect for other people's points of view so long as they do not try to force them on others. I am merely interested in finding out the basis for them, I find it rather fascinating.
    But please, feel free to continue to ridicule me and I shall continue to await the answers to my questions

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Anonymous,

    Thanks for your persistence. Here are the answers to your questions.

    (1) My qualifications* are not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (2) My "mundane, unsatisfying life" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (3) The possibility that Wendy Lydall is "giving the public a choice" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (4) The question of whether "the pharmaceutical companies are god [sic] and have [consumers'] best interests at heart" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (5) The unsupported contention that "the pharmaceutical companies are purely money-driven & coudn't really give a damn about anybody's long-term health prospects" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (6) My unfortunate phobia of the "complementary medicine [sic] community" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (7) The notion that "the homeopathic branch" and "allopathy [sic]" can "work very well alongside each other" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (8) The preposterous suggestion that my ASA complaint will not "allow people to make their own choices about their own health and well-being and how they would like to deal with that [sic] when supplied with ALL the information possible [sic]" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (9) A hearty "respect for other people's points of view so long as they do not try to force them on others" is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    (10) Your marvellous riposte, "I have plenty of evidence [but I won't tell you what it is]", is not relevant to an assessment of the veracity of the claims in the advert.

    Oh, by the way, thanks for engaging in an entertaining round of "spot the historical impossibility"! These are the three I noticed: did I miss anything?

    (1) Hippocrates could not have said "there are two types [sic] of medicine: allopathy [sic] and homeopathy [sic]" unless he miraculously lived for at least two thousand years.

    (2) None of Hippocrates' sayings are extant.

    (3) Homeopathy was invented in 1796, not during the lifetime of Hippocrates.


    (*My qualifications are relevant to the 31st January post. As I have mentioned several times before, I'm not a professional scientist, but neither am I unqualified to be one.)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Curiously Complementary14 February 2011 at 12:10

    Ha ha ha ha ha, oh dear, now that I've stopped laughing I shall first commend you for your A* avoidance techniques!
    Secondly, and the thing that made me laugh the most, was the statement that "Homeopathy was invented..." Homeopathy was not "invented" it has been used for thousands of years all over the world. Samuel Hahnemann studied the reasons behind its efficacy more closely over many many years and (using ancient Greek) labelled it Homeopathy.

    Oh well, thank you it's been fun, but I have a rewarding, fulfilling and meaningful life to return to full of love, laughter, light and complementary medicine. But I'm sure our paths will cross again SWL at some point in the future, when you will no doubt find reason to protest wildly (and fruitlessly) against me! I look forward to that day immensely :-)

    I wish you luck in your continued pursuit for the damnation of alternative thinkers & practitioners!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Curiously,

    Before you disappear, please provide evidence that homeopathy was "used" during the year 1795, or at any time before that.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I have just discovered this hilarious site, which is an attack on me. The funniest thing about people who call themselves sceptics is that they are not sceptical. They believe that the truth is whatever the majority of people believe. I'm going to have fun with this site, but I have a life outside of responding to my attackers, so I will just dip into this site now and then.

    ReplyDelete
  30. The sceptic says, "The two children above appear on the book's front cover. I do hope they are models, and not actual future victims of the bizarre anti-vaccination movement."
    They are not models, they are my children, now 23 and 28 years old. They are healthy and happy. The girl is often mistaken for 22 years old. Her young appearance is not only due to being vaccine free, it is largely due to her decision not to take sugar, caffeine and nicotine into her body. The boy avoids sugar and nicotine, but he sometimes has caffeine.
    As children they both had measles, rubella and chicken pox, but only the girl had whooping cough.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Wendy,

    Thanks for stopping by. How about that bet I proposed some time ago?

    I'll get a flu shot. If I live, you pay me $10,000. If I die or develop autism, my estate will pay you $10,000.

    Tell you what, I'll give you even better odds than that. You pay $1000 if I live, my estate pays $100,000 if I die. What do you say?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sceptical Letter Writer and everyone else. I have had the flu shot every year for about 12 years now. Guess how many times I have had the flu in the last 12 years with flu infected people all around coughing and sneezing near me? None, that's how many times. And I've never had to pay "big pharma" a cent for drugs to alleviate the symptoms of flu. Does that mean their evil plan is failing?

      My vaccinated kids have never had measles.I did, but I was not vaccinated in the sixties.

      Well that's my story. A small story in the scheme of things, I know, but in my experience vaccination has always been positive. I hope this helps.

      Delete
  32. Hi SWL,

    Just stumbled on your blog, this letter re WL's book in particular. Love the letter, and am continued to be amazingly frustrated by what some people consider reasoned argument. WL included as demonstrated by the ramblings in her book.

    Q to WL who appears to have dropped by now and then:
    You state in your post here of Sep 09 2011 0348 am that the your daughter is vaccine-free, but in the book under discussion you state:
    "...I decided to let baby Chandra have the oral polio vaccine." So which is it, is Chandra vaccine free or not?

    Also, for an author that claims to have written a "scientifically based guide", a lack of contact for yourself, and references that are unable to be found are a mite disconcerting.

    Cheers

    Stu

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love this blog, keep up the good work Sceptical Writer!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. There are an awful lot of ignorant people here...

    A) Big Pharma - if they wanted your money, they'd stop making vaccines and they would allow us to get sick with measles, whooping cough and rubella. Why? Antibiotics and antiviral medications are expensive and vital. So they make way more money off selling those than they do from vaccines. Vaccines are cheap.

    B) People are assuming that if you support contemporary medicine, you are completely rejecting every single complementary therapy in existence. Show me a peer reviewed journal with a cohort of over 5000 subjects with significant data and I will recommend the treatment to others. I also have no problem with recommending safe complementary therapies as an adjunct to modern medicine. That's what the word 'complementary' means.
    Ironically, most quack-alternative medicine practitioners don't understand this and seem to think you have to make a choice and only use one type of therapy...

    Keep up the good work SLW!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi "Sceptical Writer" (Lemming?)

    Perhaps you could now do a post being sceptical of the "Immunise" Australia Program. The very use of the word immunise should arouse suspicion - since all vaccinations given under the program only have an immunity "success" rate of 85 - 95 %.

    Perhaps it's too much work for you to look into both sides of vaccination...


    Maybe you don't want to hear both sides of the issue... because then you might have to change your stance and that wouldn't look good would it?

    I guess it all comes down to reputation.

    Abby

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  36. Hi everyone. Why do so many people mistrust the science? What real evidence is there of a conspiracy? I don't understand. I don't fully understand vaccination either; I'm not an expert. That's why I rely on the experts for advice and what better expert than the scientists whose life's work goes into understanding vaccination? What I do think I understand however is ad hominem attacks are usually used in place of cogent argument.

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