Why Being “Informed” About Vaccines Doesn’t Make You Stupid — And Why Big Pharma’s Narrative Isn’t the Whole Story
There’s a lot of noise around vaccines these days — and people who question or seek more info often get dismissed as “anti-vax” or “stupid.” But the truth is more complicated, and some voices in this debate deserve serious scrutiny.
Take Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for example. He’s often seen as a leading vaccine skeptic, but let’s be clear: he’s not a doctor, he has no medical background, and has openly struggled with drug addiction. Watching him get quizzed about vaccines recently was painful — he seemed out of it and confused. That hardly inspires confidence. He certainly doesn’t have the credentials or expertise to be the face of this movement.
On the other hand, the spread of misinformation is real and dangerous. A recent TED Talk featured a story about a kid whose mom never vaccinated him because she relied on social media for medical advice. That’s worrying — but it also shows how parents wrestle with fear and confusion in an era flooded with conflicting messages.
A Personal History With Vaccines
I was vaccinated as a kid, but measles and chickenpox still swept through our community. My brother got the smallpox vaccine, and it nearly killed him — not once, but twice. After that trauma, my mom refused to vaccinate him anymore. This fear wasn’t ignorance; it was based on real suffering.
We also can’t forget that smallpox wiped out vast numbers of Indigenous peoples on the West Coast. That history is real, painful, and shapes vaccine decisions even today. Many Indigenous people chose to get the COVID vaccine because they understood the deadly stakes.
The Thimerosal Truth
Here’s something many don’t know: Canada, like other countries, used to put thimerosal — a mercury-containing preservative — in vaccines. It contains ethylmercury, which is different and less toxic than environmental methylmercury. But public fear over mercury exposure was real, and thimerosal was phased out or reduced in vaccines starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s, especially for children and pregnant women. This happened not because of proven harm, but out of an abundance of caution.
That history left a mark. I only gave my kid the basic vaccines because of these concerns — understandable fears given the information (and misinformation) circulating.
Why This Matters
This conversation isn’t as simple as “pro-vax” versus “anti-vax.” It’s about acknowledging history, trauma, and cultural context — and demanding honesty from those who claim authority.
Big Pharma and political interests want to paint anyone questioning vaccines as fools. Meanwhile, figures like RFK Jr. try to hijack the conversation, despite lacking expertise and credibility.
We deserve honest, respectful discussions that recognize past mistakes and treat people’s fears with compassion — without falling for misinformation or blind trust.
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