Thursday, November 12, 2009

Fear: Vaccines

It's interesting to me how lots of people are afraid of the H1N1 vaccine, but for two opposing reasons. Some fear that the vaccine is dangerous, and some fear that there's not enough of it.

Health officials note that people used to instantly sign up for vaccines, because they'd seen epidemics. When you've buried children who died of measles, smallpox, etc. you weigh the risks and benefits differently. Today's parents knowledge of medicine includes thalidomide and their experience doesn't include plague.

We are emotional creatures, and reason is only a sideline. Rationalization comes much more easily to us.

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