The Risk of Vaccination — The Importance of “Negative” Studies

Falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after; so that when men come to be undeceived it is too late: the jest is over and the tale has had its effect.— Jonathan Swift1 Despite their success in the control and elimination of serious infectious diseases around the globe, vaccines are increasingly the focus of controversy rather than compliments. Concern about adverse effects — real and otherwise — has accompanied vaccines since the first uses of smallpox vaccine.2 Yet skepticism about vaccines has flourished in our postmodern society, with its distrust of science, its increased attention to risk, and its . . .