Replies

In you effort to reduce the number of fatalities from 2 to 0, you ignore the number of vaccine injuries caused by pertussis vaccines. I'd like to add that I support anyone's right to voluntarily get vaccinated, I just really dislike uneducated scolds shaking their fist at others who believe otherwise.

Absolute Global Estimate: With ~500 million pertussis doses annually (WHO data), this suggests ~1,000–5,000 serious neurologic/anaphylactic events yearly worldwide. However, this is a rough extrapolation; actual numbers are lower for acellular vaccines used in >80% of high-income countries.

2. VAERS Data (U.S. Reports, 1991–2016)VAERS tracks 50,000 total AEs after DTaP (not all pertussis-specific; often combined vaccines). Only ~11% (5,500) were serious (e.g., hospitalization, disability). No unexpected patterns emerged; most were mild (e.g., injection-site reactions in 60–80%). , Serious reports: ~130 annually for permanent injury/death (underreported).

For Tdap (adults): 1,798 reports (2010–2018), only 6% serious; 7 deaths (none vaccine-caused). Limitation: VAERS cannot calculate incidence rates without denominator data (doses given).

3. Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) Claims (U.S., 1988–2025)The VICP compensates proven injuries without proving fault. As of September 1, 2025:6,384 total claims for pertussis-containing vaccines. 876 deaths (85% in children <3 years). 5,508 serious injuries (e.g., seizures, encephalopathy). ~50% of disputed claims (542 cases) awarded compensation, often for seizures (189 awards) or hypotonic episodes (73 awards).

This represents compensated cases only (~$775 million paid since 2017, mostly Tdap). Actual injuries likely higher due to under-filing.4. International Data (WHO/Other)Taiwan (2017–2020): 667,497 DTaP-IPV doses; 56 AEs reported (8.4 per 100,000 doses), mostly mild.

Global WHO Burden: Focuses on disease (24 million cases, 160,700 deaths in children <5 yearly), not vaccine injuries. Acellular vaccines have "fewer side effects" than whole-cell but shorter immunity duration. No aggregate injury count; rates mirror IOM (e.g., <1 serious per 100,000). , Whole-cell vaccines (used in low-income countries) have higher minor AE rates (50–80% fever/swelling) but similar serious rates.

Context and Benefits vs. RisksUnderreporting Bias:

VAERS/VICP capture <10% of serious events; true U.S. injuries may exceed 50,000 since 1991, but most resolve without disability.

Comparison to Disease: Pre-vaccine, pertussis killed ~9,000 U.S. children yearly; vaccines prevent ~195,000 cases annually. Serious vaccine risks (e.g., 1 in 100,000) are far lower than disease risks (1 in 100 fatality in infants). Modern Improvements: Acellular vaccines (post-1990s) reduced serious AEs by 70–90% vs. whole-cell. No links to autism, SIDS, or chronic disorders.

Recommendations: CDC/WHO advise DTaP (5 doses by age 6) and Tdap boosters. Report AEs to VAERS.