To all the anti-vaccine folks in the crowd

[Saving Hawaii]

Look, I just got the Royal Flush: MMR booster, Hep B, Chicken Pox, Tetanus, and TB test. That's a perfect hand. I got them all within a few minutes of each other. I feel like a pin cushion right now.

So here's the wager: If I'm dead or severely brain damaged in the next 14 days, I will write and send to you a check for $1000. If I'm not dead or severely brain damaged, you write and send to me a check for $20. I've got so many vaccines working their magic on my body right now... you'd be crazy to not take a 50-1 handicap on me being brain-dead by the end of next week.

I can't post a poll, but if I could here'd by the options: I'll take the bet... I wouldn't take that bet... Your already brain-dead.

[Ian David]

1. Hug Me! I'm Vaccinated!

http://skepticalteacher.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/skeptics-pwn-anti-vax-scumbag-wakefield-at-his-own-rally/

[Rabblevox]

2. I take a little more nuanced view towards vaccines...

Most of them, most of the time, are incredibly useful (and BTW, there is no TB vaccine, just a test, and them 6 months of pills)

But they HAVE been abused, the potential for further abuse is enormous, and sticking your head in the sand while asking for a shot is...well...ostrich-like.

http://vaccinedangers.com/

http://www.thinktwice.com/multiple.htm

http://educate-yourself.org/vcd/

(and if you want to post a poll, pony up the $5 for membership)

[catabryna]

3. There is a TB vaccine...

they just don't give them here in the United States. My son had one as an infant while still in Eastern Europe.

eta: They may have the TB vaccine available here for overseas travel... I've never looked into it.

[Rabblevox]

5. I stand corrected on that, I did not know, good info to have...

TB Vaccine (BCG)

BCG, or bacille Calmette-Guérin, is a vaccine for TB disease. This vaccine is not widely used in the United States, but it is often given to infants and small children in other countries where TB is common. BCG vaccine does not always protect people from getting TB.

If you were vaccinated with BCG, you may have a positive reaction to a TB skin test. This reaction may be due to the BCG vaccine itself or due to infection with the TB bacteria. Your positive reaction probably means you have been infected with TB bacteria if

You recently spent time with a person who has active TB disease; or
You are from an area of the world where active TB disease is very common (such as most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia); or
You spend time where TB disease is common (homeless shelters, migrant farm camps, drug-treatment centers, health care clinics, jails, prisons).
The BCG vaccine should be considered only for very select persons who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert.

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/vaccines/default.htm

[catabryna]

10. You're welcome. nt

[Saving Hawaii]

7. yeah, that's why I said "TB test"

But I got poked so I figured I'd count it. I wanted to be able to claim the "Royal Flush" after all.

[johnd83]

4. The study that started the anti-vaccine movement was a fraud

It has been proven several times the guy that did the study was just making up the results. I forget the exact details. The diseases that we vaccinate against are generally extremely severe, and human life has really improved because of them. People before vaccines had to get measles, smallpox, mumps, etc. There may be a very small percentage of people that will get an adverse reaction to the vaccines but the possibility of having to deal with the diseases they prevent is terrifying.

[H2O Man]

6. Legalize Lonnie Anderson's hair

[MedicalAdmin]

8. Welcome to DU - now pony up $5 and get full membership.

If you plan on sticking around, it's worth it. By the way, without other demographic and medical history info, that is a suckers bet. You aren't a Palin on the grift, are you?

[Saving Hawaii]

11. Worst case scenario you lose $20

Best case, you win $1000. (That is, if my brain-dead or deceased body can manage to write the check)

[MedicalAdmin]

12. OK - let me explain this slowly.

While I am sure you are feeling all righteous about this post, it also shows a misunderstanding of what and how vaccines work and the differences between adults and children in how they react to everything that is introduced to their bodies.

I wouldn't, and neither would anyone, expect you to react adversely to your little cocktail. Not if they understood vaccines. Of course this statement is subject to your medical history and current state of health.

Without that information it is a suckers bet. And I don't take suckers bet. Now if you have a tip on a pony..... :P

The concern that many parents have with vaccines are not entirely troubling. Some of our patients request no vaccines and we help them to evaluate their particular current state of health and make recommendations based on that. Some want help with modifying the schedule or source of vaccines. Some just want the damn shots and to be done with it. Our clinic helps all of these patients. For those who refuse them we make sure that they know the downside of that decision and then also make sure that they have tools to maximize their immune response while ameliorating the risks. It is an uncomfortable line to walk but we have made the decision NOT to drop any patient for any reason. Our job is to help.

Good luck with things and welcome to DU.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. So, only 2 week limit on side effects?????

I will pass on that bet.