Sites which discourage vaccination, and sites which encourage vaccination
This column features a special focus on vaccination. It's a complex issue, but you'll find a wealth of resources at the sites profiled below. They represent a mix of views from government agencies, non-profit organizations (both large and small), corporations, foundations, and dedicated individuals.
Sites Which Discourage Vaccination
National Vaccine Information Center
This parent-led organization advocates for rethinking of the mass vaccination system. Their site contains a depth of yell-organized information, starting with eight questions to ask before you vaccinate. You'll also find interviews, press releases, articles, statements, testimony, e-news, membership information, and summaries of key vaccination issues. Their website has earned a number of awards.
Australian Vaccination Network
http://www.avn.org.au/http://www.avn.org.au/links.htm
At first, I hesitated to include this site, because they're based 10,000 miles from my abode, but their website is worthy. They offer a discussion list and an action alert list, books and videos, and they collect data on adverse reactions. The links page is a treasure. I'm not sure what's in the member's section. You could join, and find out.
Vaccination Debate
http://www.vaccinationdebate. com
An essential tool. Note especially "Graphical Evidence Shows Vaccines Didn't Save Us," "Why Vaccines are Harmful," and "Doctors and Scientists Condemn Vaccination."
Think Twice
This is a treasure from the Global Vaccine Institute. The site features frequently asked questions, studies, personal stories, information on individual vaccines, and a link called "Emotional Responses." In that last section they note that "our website elicits strong reactions," and they share both the "love letters" and the "angry letters."
Vaccine Website
Gazillions of well-organized links maintained by a UK-based dad who didn't vaccinate his last two kids. The content is huge, and the site name is appropriate. I'll profile the whole whale to site (not just the vaccine section) in a future "Web Page Potpourri" column.
Vaccination Information and Choice Network
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm
Lots of links put together by a dedicated RN
Vaccine Information and Awareness
http://home.san.rr.com/via/STATES/allstates.htm
This is an understated treasure-trove. Note especially links to each state's exemption laws.
Vaccination News
http://www.vaccinationnews.com/
This site is clearly a labor of love. It doesn't have all the accoutrements of a professional website. In fact, sometimes it's downright hard to navigate. (Frames open up inside of frames where they don't belong.) But for what the site lacks in design, it makes up for in content. In addition to daily vaccination news, you'll also find adverse reaction reports, fall transcripts of congressional hearings, event listings, state legislative information, and you can sign up for an email newsletter. If you don't want to be depressed, don't click on the "Scandals" link.
Vaccine Injury Alliance
Law firms and legal professionals working to help families seek compensation for vaccine-related injuries
Mercury Policy Center
Covers a range of mercury policy issues, including thimerosal and recent efforts to grant immunity from civil action to vaccine makers such as Eli Lilly.
Sites Which Encourage Vaccination
National Immunization Program
A content-rich site from the Centers for Disease Control
CDC Vaccination Recommendation
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm
Information for travelers, including recommendations for specific countries
Children's Vaccine Program
Promoting equal access to new and lifesaving vaccines worldwide. This is a project of UniScience News Net, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Children's Vaccine Program (now called PATH: Program for Appropriate Technology in Health)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/
Search for words such as vaccine, vaccination, or immunization to learn about related funding projects.
The Vaccine Page http://vaccines.org/
The Allied Vaccine Group
These two sites are linked, sharing a common search engine.
Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/figures/256fig5.htm
This information from the American Academy of Pediatrics appears in the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy
Additional Resources
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
A cooperative program from CDC and the FDA.
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp/INDEX.HTM
A cooperative program of Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and the US Court of Federal Claims
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Marjorie Roswell is a web developer at a health policy organization in Baltimore.
