# Anti-vaxxers are ignorant scumbags that kill children **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 1, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626 "2016-09-01T01:59:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 80
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1582 "2025-12-11T03:31:36Z")
A chiropractor posted this gem on Twitter today: > [@](#): > > The majority of polio cases in the 40’s and 50’s were caused by the shots themselves. Prior to that it was DDT. Polio hasn’t gone away, it’s just been renamed Flaccid Paralysis. And yes, proper sewage treatment and clean water contributed the most to eradication. Four grotesquely false claims in four sentences\*, a fine example of [antivax chiro idiocy](https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/best-of-the-week/2021/chiropractors-spreading-covid-vaccine-misinformation/). In addition to the blithering stupidity of claiming polio “hasn’t gone away” and in the very next sentence alleging that better sanitation eradicated it, his clean water argument is bogus. Better sanitation [actually contributed to a surge in paralytic polio cases](https://nextnature.org/en/magazine/story/2014/how-modern-sanitation-gave-us-polio) in the '40s and '50s. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1583 "2025-12-11T22:04:52Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > A chiropractor posted this gem on Twitter today: Chiropractors are often the butt of ‘stupid guy’ jokes. And the one you quoted is doing _nothing_ to remedy that. DDT causes polio, eh? I can only imagine how proud the operators of America’s chiropractic training programs must be. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1584 "2025-12-11T22:44:10Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Chiropractors are often the butt of ‘stupid guy’ jokes. And the one you quoted is doing _nothing_ to remedy that. I’ve gone to two different chiropractors over extended periods that have done a great job helping my back and neck get stronger and no longer cause me pain. Because that is what chiropractors are trained to do, and can be very successful at. Then there are those who subscribe to the belief that since nerves run through your whole body, that adjusting your spine can somehow transmit health through your entire body, and prevent or cure all sorts of ailments. They can get into total woo pseudoscience homeopathic kinds of bullshit. Thank goodness I’ve never been stuck with a person like that. But I know they’re out there. Apparently, the origin of chiropractic medicine started with that sort of nonsense, as discussed in this old thread: > [@Is Chiropractic pure woo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chiropractic-pure-woo/643498): > > Simple question really, but I am woefully ignorant on Chiropractic and the chiropractors who administer treatments. Are they on the same level as psychics, homeopathy, Mayan end-of-the-world predictions and so on? Perhaps the practice is just mostly or somewhat woo… kind of like acupuncture (IE, legitimate research has been mixed, some insurance companies accept it as a valid medical treatment)? Or is it really legitimate, to be as respected as dentistry and medicine? Generally, a good chiropractor is really acting as a kind of physical therapist. Like a sports medicine specialist. That’s what I’ve had success with. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1585 "2025-12-11T23:07:05Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Generally, a good chiropractor is really acting as a kind of physical therapist. Yeah, I’ve heard that from others, too. The physical manipulation can be very helpful. But those chiropractors who get all mystical likely do less good than the non-woo ones. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1586 "2025-12-12T01:12:14Z")
As this this thread is about antivaxers, I didn’t want to get into a general discussion of chiropractic, but [this summary](https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/reference/chiropractic/) and related posts are helpful. > [@](#): > > There is good evidence that spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) is effective for some patients with low back pain but that it is not superior to other treatments…SMT is not exclusive to chiropractic: it is also used by physical therapists, doctors of osteopathy, and others… > > Up to half of patients report short-term adverse effects from manipulation, such as increased local or radiating pain; and there is a rare but devastating complication of neck manipulation: it can injure the vertebrobasilar arteries and cause stroke, paralysis, and death. Some chiropractors do not accept the germ theory of disease and only about half of them support immunization. Many of them discourage proven treatments with drugs and surgery and many want to take on the role of primary health care provider. If your chiro stays in his/her lane, stays away from babies and your neck, and doesn’t disparage science-based care, they can do some good. But I’d preferentially seek out a good physical or massage therapist over someone who claims to fix imaginary “subluxations”. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1587 "2025-12-12T06:56:19Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > and for nearly hemorrhaging to death from internal hemorrhoids while refusing transfusions I mean, I really want THAT in my obituary! ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1588 "2025-12-12T15:14:48Z")
> **[FDA intends to put its most serious warning on Covid vaccines, sources say | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/health/fda-black-box-warning-covid-vaccine)** > > The US Food and Drug Administration intends to put a “black box” warning on Covid-19 vaccines, according to two people familiar with the agency’s plans. You know that’s gonna make anti vaxxers even more sure they were right all long. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1589 "2025-12-12T15:29:16Z")
It’s Demento Donny’s pick doing this. The FDA is a political arm of MAGA now. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1590 "2025-12-12T23:07:26Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Generally, a good chiropractor is really acting as a kind of physical therapist. 80% of my DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy - fancy!) son’s teachers were chiropractors. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1591 "2025-12-12T23:39:53Z")
There’s a pertussis outbreak in my region. The one mentioned here is in a region that has several Amish communities, where immunization is not prohibited but many of them do not do it unless they’re in a situation where it’s required. [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/whooping-cough-high-absences-illnesses-close-some-iowa-schools](https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/whooping-cough-high-absences-illnesses-close-some-iowa-schools) This one is closer to home for me, and we do NOT have Amish communities. It’s possible that the people were immunized, and thankfully have milder cases as a result. It can depend on the strain or clade. > **[Pertussis outbreak hits Scott County](https://www.kyoutv.com/2025/12/12/pertussis-outbreak-hits-scott-county/?outputType=amp)** > > Scott County Health Department said there have been 43 confirmed and suspected cases of pertussis since Dec. 1. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1592 "2025-12-13T22:43:04Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Some chiropractors do not accept the germ theory of disease and only about half of them support immunization. [From the material you quoted.] A connection between ‘deciding to become a chiropractor’ and ‘being anti-science’ appears to exist—at least for some. (It would be unfair to assume “for all,” of course.) Anyway, that does tie in to this thread’s topic. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1593 "2026-01-01T16:33:36Z")
Some New Year’s cheer for visitors to northern Kentucky’s Ark Encounter: you may have been exposed to measles by an unvaccinated patient. > **[MeaslesExposureChart.pdf](https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/idb/Documents%202/MeaslesExposureChart.pdf)** > > 93.05 KB They’re also cautioning people who stayed at a nearby Holiday Inn Express. “But I did get fever and a rash last night.” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1594 "2026-01-01T17:29:18Z")
And to anyone who proclaims “At least they’re killing themselves off and helping solve the problem”: They are also killing off innocent people. Your “solution” _is_ a major part of the problem. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1595 "2026-01-06T01:53:45Z")
> Under anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., federal health officials on Monday announced a sweeping and unprecedented overhaul of federal vaccine recommendations, abruptly paring down recommended immunizations for children from 17 to 11… > > Under the new federal recommendations, universally recommended immunizations are pared down to these 11 diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox). > > Immunizations against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcal B are now only recommended for “high risk” groups. (Immunization against dengue was previously only recommended for certain groups.) > **[Under anti-vaccine RFK Jr., CDC slashes childhood vaccine schedule](https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/01/under-anti-vaccine-rfk-jr-cdc-slashes-childhood-vaccine-schedule/)** > > The changes are modeled after a small country with universal health care. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1596 "2026-01-06T11:13:16Z")
I’ve seen someone die from meningococcal meningitis. It’s not pretty but it is blissfully quick. He walked into the hospital ER and was brain dead by the time he reached the ICU an hour or so later. It’s one of the nights in my residency I will never forget. He was 29 and his wife was 7 months pregnant. It is a horrible horrible disease ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1597 "2026-01-06T13:38:31Z")
> [@Ars Technica](#): > > …abruptly paring down recommended immunizations for children from 17 to 11 Their ultimate goal is zero recommended vaccines. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1598 "2026-01-06T13:58:18Z")
One of two things is bound to happen: 1. Reported autism diagnoses will be found to stabilize or decrease (by a bogus RFK Jr./Geier “study”, most likely) and that will be announced as proof that vaccines cause autism. 2. Reported autism diagnoses will continue increasing, and that will be taken as an excuse to further gut the recommended vaccine schedule for children. Lose/lose. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1599 "2026-01-07T02:51:18Z")
Exactly, starting with their own children. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1600 "2026-01-07T02:54:30Z")
That’s if they don’t develop disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and have to have all four limbs amputated, along with their noses, breasts, and penises, and also lose their kidneys and a good chunk of bowel - and somehow “recover” anyway. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626/1601 "2026-01-07T09:04:52Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > It is a horrible horrible disease I could slink into my grave without ever seeing another case of meningococcemia and that’d be just fine with me. I had hopes for that once, but perhaps I should give them up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626.md?page=79) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-vaxxers-are-ignorant-scumbags-that-kill-children/764626.md?page=81)