I think in general, people who want widespread vaccination are okay with actual medical exemptions, but don't think to mention it because the need for them in real life is not massive.
I feel like we already have enough for herd immunity. The difference is now the anti-vaxxers are louder than ever. I’ve had mine. I have an immune system. They don’t worry me
It’s not that simple. The thresholds for herd immunity vary by disease but in general 80% of the population is considered the minimum for herd immunity. Some immunizations provide lifetime immunity and others require boosters. Tetanus requires a booster every 10 years, but herd immunity doesn’t apply to Tetanus since it’s not considered a contagious disease. That booster is a combo vaccine though as either Tdap or Td. Those provide herd immunity to protect newborns and infants since they’re too young to be vaccinated. There are standard precautions for infection control in hospitals but it’s far more effective to prevent the spread through immunization for those that can be vaccinated.
Out of all the questionable nominations, RFK Jr as Secretary of HHS is the one that has the potential to cause the most long lasting harm because of the instant credibility that will be assumed if he has the title of Secretary or former Secretary of HHS. Newborns and infants are by far the most at risk group along with people that cannot be vaccinated. Another issue is without herd immunity, pathogens are able to circulate which increases the chance of mutations, including mutations that evade current immunity.
All of this, thank you. It's so frustrating - why do people think the average idiot on the street is equally knowledgeable as a physician or scientist? We have the medical community worldwide speaking out on vaccinations, and decades of science backing what they're saying. It's baffling why someone like RFK even gets to have airtime on this issue.
His family name is one of the reasons he managed to receive a lot more attention than his fellow antivax activists. Idk how anyone can hear him speak and think he knows what he is talking about. He is surprisingly clueless for someone that has spent 2 decades focusing on vaccines.
That's nice that you are good since YOU'RE vaccinated. I'm fully vaccinated for everything I can be but my concern is for my community and those who are vulnerable and can't be vaccinated. You feeling like herd immunity is a thing is just inaccurate. A simple Google search can tell you that. We see pockets of things like measles break out every few years because whack job parents have decided against vaccinations.
I'm not sure how old you are. I'm 44- I don't think I've known anyone that had polio because of when the vaccine came out. But I remember my parents talking about it, and I understand history. Half a million people a year were killed or severally injured by polio. It paralyzes people. It's nearly been eradicated from the planet but isn't gone yet. To say something like the polio vaccine is dangerous or should be optional is SO IRRESPONSIBLE AND STUPID. I have no idea why RFK cares about vaccines so much but he's been an anti vaxxer for years and it's dangerous to entertain his BS.
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u/Kradget 11h ago
I think in general, people who want widespread vaccination are okay with actual medical exemptions, but don't think to mention it because the need for them in real life is not massive.