Prompt Cast
The History and Rise of the Anti-Vaccination Movement
TLDR The fear of vaccines has a long history that predates the internet, with unsanitary and unpleasant practices in the 19th century leading to protests and resistance. The rise of the anti-vaccination movement was further fueled by a decline in trust caused by a bad batch of polio vaccine and criticism of the medical community's abuse of power and lack of transparency.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The fear of vaccines has existed for over a century and has a long history that predates the internet, with the smallpox vaccine in the mid 19th century being particularly unsanitary and unpleasant.
04:41
In the 19th century, the smallpox vaccine was administered using unsanitary knives that were not cleaned between vaccinations, leading to infections and deaths, which caused parents to protest and resist vaccines, eventually leading to the rise of an organized anti-vaccination movement.
08:48
Vaccinations became safer in the 20th century, leading to increased acceptance and the eradication of smallpox, but a bad batch of polio vaccine in 1955 caused fear and a decline in trust in vaccines.
13:05
Dr. Robert Mendelson, an anti-establishment and feminist doctor, criticized the medical community for its abuse of power and lack of transparency, which contributed to a growing distrust in the medical community and set the stage for the rise of the anti-vaccination movement.
17:17
The documentary "DPT Vaccine Roulette" in 1982, which highlighted the potential side effects of the DPT vaccine, became a turning point for the anti-vaccination movement, with Dr. Robert Mendelson appearing in the documentary and expressing his opposition to the vaccine.
21:51
The documentary "DPT Vaccine Roulette" led to the formation of an advocacy group called Dissatisfied Parents Together, which later changed its name to the National Vaccine Information Centre and became one of the most prominent vaccine-skeptic advocacy groups in the country.
26:12
Noelle, after receiving information about the risks of vaccines, has become skeptical of doctors and now firmly believes that vaccines are harmful and will never vaccinate her daughter.
30:30
Noelle's skepticism of vaccines stems from her lack of trust in the medical establishment, particularly the CDC, and her belief that vaccines pose a greater risk to her daughter than the diseases they prevent.
