Why Vaccines Work?

A dose of reality about vaccines…
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As more and more parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children or are vaccinating them later, diseases like measles are making a comeback. Are vaccines safe? How do vaccines work? Why do some people claim there is a link between vaccines and autism? This week we look at why are people afraid of something that has saved so many lives, and look at the history and science of vaccines.

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:

"The Panic Virus" by Seth Mnookin: http://amzn.to/1CB8Q7p 
"On Immunity" by Eula Biss: http://amzn.to/1FTmmH1 

Watch "Vaccines: Calling the Shots" from PBS' NOVA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVCO6... 

The Robert Falcon Scott expedition and the lost cure for scurvy, by Maciej Cegłowski: http://idlewords.com/2010/03/scott_an... 

The incredible value of vaccines: http://www.gavi.org/about/mission/fac... 

The Guardian's herd immunity simulation: http://www.theguardian.com/society/ng... 

Map of global vaccine rates: http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/intera... 

How risky are vaccine side effects? http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/s... 

Eula Biss on vaccines and empathy: http://www.vox.com/2015/2/6/7992071/h... 


Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment below!
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It's Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D.
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Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen Inc.
Kate Eads - Associate Producer
Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics
Katie Graham - Director of Photography
John Knudsen - Gaffer
Dalton Allen - Post-Production Intern

Theme music:
"Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

Other music via APM 

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