The Genius Life 492: A Pediatrician’s Honest Take on Vaccine Safety | Joel Warsh, MD
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May 26, 2025 Dr. Joel Warsh, a board-certified pediatrician and author of *Between a Shot and a Hard Place*, delves into the intricacies of vaccine safety and parental trust in healthcare. He emphasizes the need for open dialogue about vaccine risks, particularly concerning the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. The discussion includes the role of vaccine additives like aluminum, historical perspectives on vaccine development, and the importance of informed consent. Warsh advocates for transparency in vaccination practices to foster collaboration and address rising health concerns among children.
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Open Questions on Vaccine Safety
- We should be able to ask any questions about vaccine safety without being labeled anti-vaccine.
- No product is 100% safe or effective, so discussion about risks and benefits is crucial.
Liability Shield Reduces Vaccine Safety
- Vaccine manufacturers are shielded from liability which may reduce their motivation to maximize safety.
- Lack of liability can prevent ongoing research or removal of problematic vaccines.
Vaccine Trials Lack True Placebo
- Most vaccine trials are not compared to inert placebos but to other vaccines or adjuvants.
- This limits understanding of true safety vs. unvaccinated baselines.