How Effective Are Childhood Vaccines?
Modern vaccines are very effective. But nothing is 100% effective. As people know, children can – sadly – be harmed in a car accident even…
I Vaccinate My Kids Because I Wish My Parents Had Vaccinated Me
My name is Grace. I was raised in a cult. There are a lot of things wrong with being raised in a cult— religious brainwashing,…
Facts and Talk: My Response to Vaccine Fears
In 2009, I turned in my pipettes and decided to pursue a career outside of the laboratory. I was living in Boulder, Colorado, and had…
Vaccines and Autism: One Doctor’s Personal Story
There has been a lot of talk since 1998 as to whether vaccines cause autism. Though I have been loath to enter this conversation, it…
When Private Choices Affect Public Health
Editor's Note: A longer version of this piece originally appeared on Loura's private blog. Several years ago, my state outlawed public smoking. As a non-smoker concerned with…
My Baby Had Measles: Mobius Update
Earlier this year my 4-month-old son Mobius was part of the Disneyland measles outbreak. It’s been a stressful ordeal, but he’s been recovering beautifully. He…
Protecting Baby Before He is Born
We got our flu vaccines before I found out I was pregnant. Our provider had their flu clinic in September, and we all went. It’s…
I Grew Up in an Anti-Vaccine Cult
My parents were brought up listening to the radio broadcasts and reading the literature of the Worldwide Church of God, a cult/fringe religion that was…
My Baby Has Measles
The last week has been such a whirlwind. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that the very first time my four-month-old son…
Why Measles Outbreaks Terrify Me
Measles is running rampant in California. It’s all over the news—and not just local news, national news as well. As a parent of an immunocompromised…