Analysis of the Anti-Vaccine Movement

The current anti-vaccine movement had its beginnings in the 1970s. It arose, in part, from the concern that autism was becoming more common. The pertussis vaccine, which was being administered at the time, was relatively impure. Not uncommonly it induced a febrile illness that seemingly could occasionally progress to autism [1]. A more purified (sub-cellular) version of the vaccine was subsequently marketed in the early 1980s, yet the incidence of autism continued to rise. Immunologists had realized that to be effective as an immunogen, purified bacterial antigens such as in the revised pertussis vaccine, have to be injected in combination with components that would non-specifically stimulate the immune response. These components are referred to as adjuvants and include aluminum containing formulations called alum [2]. Alum was included in the modified pertussis vaccine and also in some additional vaccines, which led in the co-administration of several alum containing vaccines from different manufacturers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed the unnecessary overuse of alum, rather than requiring concessions from the vaccine manufacturers. Beyond the potential adverse effects of overstimulating the immune system, aluminum is a known neurotoxin. For both reasons, concerns were expressed that alum might be causing autism [3]. The potential toxicity of overstimulating the immune system also applies to some of the more recently introduced adjuvants, including various toxic lipids. It is noteworthy that lipids with adjuvant properties are included in the proposed Covid-19 vaccine from the Modern a Company.