In this episode of the Plutopia podcast, British immunologist David Miles discusses his book How Vaccines Work and considers the science of vaccines, viruses, and the societal impact of vaccine misinformation. The conversation covers the role of vaccines in combating diseases like COVID-19, polio, and avian influenza, as well as the challenges posed by anti-vaccine narratives fueled by figures like RFK Jr. Miles highlights the importance of sourcing accurate information and the evolutionary mechanics of viruses. The episode also touches on the broader implications of vaccine hesitancy, the economic impact of diseases, and the enduring mystery of viruses like HIV and the common cold. Listeners are encouraged to approach vaccine-related decisions critically, relying on credible resources.
David Miles:
If somebody has reservations or questions that’s completely reasonable: yes, having a steel needle stuck in you or your child is going to make you think twice about that. But if you go looking for answers, think carefully about where you’re getting that information from. There are organizations like Voices for Vaccines, for example, that give very good information. There are also a lot of people who will give very bad information. And I’m not naming names here because we’ll be here all night. It’s make sure that you’re getting your information from one and not the other.
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