Was already trending downwards due to herd immunity, better sanitation, and reduced use of harmful pesticides.
To be clear, the polio vaccine likely did have some beneficial effect early on, but it was not the primary reason for cases to plummet, and it’s success is vastly overstated.
If anyone wants to get this vax, or any vax, that is for each individual to decide, but no vaccines should be mandated.
I agree that mandates are bad. But I think it’s bizarre that you tout “herd immunity” while intentionally avoiding stating that the primary source of that immunity comes from a vaccine. The alternative would be widespread community infection of polio, which we know didn’t happen.
Consistency my friend. You can say vaccines are both bad and good. Don’t fear nuance.
Vaccine immunity is known as artificial immunity, and it wanes over time. Natural immunity, commonly known as herd immunity, lasts for longer and is more effective.
Don’t feat nuance, my friend. Keep digging. Don’t trust what I say. Look into it yourself.
I was vaccinated for MMR as a child, and as a requirement for academia as an adult, was required to get antibody titers.
My MMR antibodies were still sufficient, after 20 years.
Some vaccines wane, in my case, herpes zoster (chickenpox).
Anecdotal evidence, sure, but I feel you’re painting with a broad brush here.
Do you have any dogs or cats? If so, have you not had them vaccinated against rabies? Should we rely on naturally acquired immunity instead?
Yes, I am ok having a dog that has not been vaccinated from rabies. Notice that this is quite different from being ok having a dog *with* rabies.
I believe in your basic moral goodness. I just want to point out that rabies infections are almost 100% fatal to animals with an untrained immune system. And the death is painful.
There are lots of things in this world that can kill you, and you’ll never be inoculated against all of them. 100% death rate does not mean 100% infection rate.
Why wear a seatbelt when there are so many other things that can kill you?
At least we can say that rabies vaccines aren’t a scam. In order to be sold in the United States, they have to be at least 88% effective in challenge trials. Going from nearly zero chance of survival to 88% is a big deal. And rabies vaccines do prevent spread.
https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/preventive-medicine/rabies-vaccination-in-dogs/
