Today, however, anti-vaccine activists go out of their way to claim that they are not anti-vaccine; theyโre pro-vaccine. They just want vaccines to be safer. This is a much softer, less radical, more tolerable message, allowing them greater access to the media. However, because anti-vaccine activists today define safe as free from side effects such as autism, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, and blood clotsโconditions that arenโt caused by vaccinesโsafer vaccines, using their definition, can never be made.
Paul A. OffitIf you've had a cough that lasted weeks, a cough that just doesn't seem to go away, chances are it was pertussis.
Paul A. OffitPneumococcus is a fairly common cause of pneumonia and [raises the] risk of death in older adults.
Paul A. OffitI've never seen this level of anger at parents who've chosen not to vaccinate their children.
Paul A. OffitVaccines are not traditionally big money makers. They're given once or a few times in one's life, so they're never going to be blockbusters.
Paul A. Offit