'Benefits Outweigh the Risks'
Rationalization

"In truth, the benefits accrue to the physician, while the patient runs the risks."—Harris Coulter (Divided Legacy Vol 3)

[A fallback belief to vaccines are safe and effective. Any amount of horror can be accepted with this belief. As a new parent you think there is a great benefit, and the risk you would rather not learn more about.  You never think for a moment that there is no benefit.  The risks of the diseases are hyped, also, and used for 'appeal to fear'.  Believe it or not, to Paul Offit, Safe definition seems to mean 'benefits outweigh risks', and 'least safe' contradicts 'absolutely safe', all in one sentence. ]

"I think without question the smallpox vaccine has severe adverse events that occur at a rate far greater than any of the other vaccines that we use today. Which means that the smallpox vaccine, is I think, without question, our least safe vaccine. But it is absolutely safe if one defines 'safe' as benefits outweigh risks in a situation where the disease is present. When the disease isn't present, then one only is frankly aware of the risks, because there are no benefits." (PBS, 2002)

See: Appeal to fear, Hype Disease risk
See
: R
ationalization  The 'vaccines are effective' lie The 'Vaccines are Safe' lieMedical Hoaxes

Examples [Some examples from medical people.  They have to believe this.]

'the risk/benefit analysis  falls on the side of vaccination,

'sure, some kids get to die, or have complications, but this number is far far smaller than results from non-vaccination,

'vaccines are extraordinarily safe compared to the diseases they prevent',

But it is absolutely safe if one defines 'safe' as benefits outweigh risks in a situation where the disease is present.--Dr Offit

I have to say just flatly from a medical point of view, there should be no debate. That is the benefits of vaccines so clearly outweigh potential risks. Dr. Tim Johnson


Harris Coulter