Alan Phillips

Alan Phillips is the director of Citizens for Healthcare Freedom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals to make informed vaccination decisions. In the following viewpoint, taken from his report “Dispelling Vaccine Myths,” Phillips argues that vaccines are not safe and effective. They frequently cause adverse reactions, he claims, including death and long- term health problems. Furthermore, he asserts, no real proof exists to demonstrate their effectiveness in preventing disease.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What circumstances led Phillips to explore the safety of vaccines?
2. What relationship exists between vaccinations and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), according to the author?
3. How dangerous are most childhood diseases, according to Phillips"

When my son began his routine vaccination series at age 2 months, I did not know there were any risks associated with immunizations. But the...