Vaccines

A blow-by-blow for anyone considering the newly-approved shot for their child. — I’ll spare you the trouble of scrolling to the end to make sure my 20-month-old is okay — he is! He’s doing great. It’s been 48 hours since his vaccine, and he has had no adverse reactions. Let’s get that out of the way immediately, as I don’t intend for…

Disagreement, aggravation and anger are part of family, it’s what happens next that matters. — My sisters and I are on vacation this weekend after not seeing much of each other over the past few years. We disagree on the seriousness of COVID and on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. So what keeps us together? …

A new study reported in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, estimates 20 million lives were saved by COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. Researchers determined this through models of reported COVID mortality, and excess mortality rates across 185 countries and territories. The prevention of 20 million deaths equates to a…

Prior immunity — especially from natural infection — may backfire instead when it comes to Omicron. — In the late 1900s, scientists discovered that antibodies generated against a particular influenza virus strain were deployed again even when the person got infected with a different influenza virus strain. Not only are such old antibodies ineffective, but they sometimes hinder the formation of newer, more effective antibodies. …

How to try to win an argument when facts, science, and reason are not on your side. — With the recent approval of the COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5, the anti-vaccine community has gone into an even higher level of frenzy. The accusations of corruption and claims of “alternative facts” are plenty, but too many of the arguments being made are fallacious. If you are anti-vaccine, and…