A Conversation on Vaccines

An outline of the discussion

Definitions:

Study- Scientific process to answer a question using data from population

Start with question, then which study, then collect and analyze data, then interpret results.

• Case fatality rate= Disease deaths/number of diseased persons​​

• Prevalence = Disease in population/population

• Incidence= New cases of disease/population

• ​​​​​Prospective Study ~ Cohort study

• Retrospective Study ~ Case Control study

Unscientific and unacceptable Studies

A. Methodological Flaws

1) Sample Size

2) Lack of Control Groups

B. Causation vs Correlation

1) Assuming Causality

2) HILLS CRITERIA FOR CAUSATION

a. Strength of association

b. Biologic credibility

c. Consistency with other research

d. Temporality

e. Dose-response relationship

f. Specificity

g. Coherence

h. Experimental evidence

i. Analogy

3) Ignoring Background Rates

C. Scientific Misconduct-Data manipulation

D. Confirming Bias-Selective Evidence

E. Misinterpretation of Statistical Data

F. Public Misinformation-Amplification Through Media

G. Failure to disclose financial conflicts of interests

H. Misuse of VAERS Data

I. Sampling Bias

J. Overgeneralization of Data

K. Lack of Peer Review

L. Cherry Picking Data

Many current studies stop at the cross-sectional study level in that they state health facts but do not prove correlation at best or more importantly causation at worst. For instance, they state that vaccines have proliferated which is true. Then they state that there has been a rise in various disease states which is also true. Then they ask the reader to infer correlation without providing the SCIENTIC AND STATISTICAL EVIDENCE to make that inference. I’ve provided some of the tools to help you scrutinize these studies so you can better “study a study.” I hope this helps you to decipher the massive load of information on this topic to determine what is fact from fiction. The health of our children depends on it.