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Vacunas: Verdades, mentiras y controversia
Existe una gran desinformación sobre las vacunas en internet, especialmente de quienes rechazan todas las vacunas, pero también de fuentes oficiales, de las que esperamos neutralidad y objetividad. El profesor Gøtzsche nos explica cuándo y por qué no debemos confiar en la ciencia y en ciertas recomendaciones oficiales. Algunas vacunas son muy beneficiosas, han salvado millones de vidas y todos deberíamos recibirlas. Pero algunas son tan dudosas que muchos profesionales de la salud no las utilizan. Debemos evaluar cuidadosamente cada vacuna, una por una, analizando el equilibrio entre sus beneficios y sus daños, tal como lo hacemos con otros medicamentos, y luego formarnos una opinión sobre si creemos que vale la pena usarla o recomendarla. Gøtzsche se centra en las más comunes, como la del sarampión, la gripe y el PVH, y analiza los programas de vacunación infantil y cuándo la vacunación obligatoria está justificada. Es fundamental plantear cuestiones críticas sobre las vacunas porque todavía quedan muchas preguntas sin resolver en torno a ellas. Por ejemplo, no sabemos prácticamente nada sobre lo que sucede cuando usamos muchas vacunas o cuáles son los efectos a largo plazo sobre el sistema inmunitario.
290 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2020
37 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Peter C. Gøtzsche
25 books105 followersPeter C. Gøtzsche is a Danish physician, medical researcher, and leader of the Nordic Cochrane Center at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark. He co-founded, and has written numerous reviews within the Cochrane collaboration.
Among his research findings are that placebo has surprisingly little effect and that many meta-analyses may have data extraction errors. Gøtzsche and his coauthors have been keen to criticize the research methods and interpretations of other scientists, e.g. in meta-analysis of placebo.
Gøtzsche has commented on meta-analysis and the editorial independence of medical journals. He has written about issues surrounding medical ghostwriting with the position that it is scientific misconduct. He has also criticized the widespread use of SSRI antidepressants.
Among his research findings are that placebo has surprisingly little effect and that many meta-analyses may have data extraction errors. Gøtzsche and his coauthors have been keen to criticize the research methods and interpretations of other scientists, e.g. in meta-analysis of placebo.
Gøtzsche has commented on meta-analysis and the editorial independence of medical journals. He has written about issues surrounding medical ghostwriting with the position that it is scientific misconduct. He has also criticized the widespread use of SSRI antidepressants.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 30, 2020
Excellent read, I lean towards the vaccine skepticism side and this book honestly had me questioning some of my previous assumptions. There are only a few points in here that I adamantly disagree with, one example being Gotzche's insistence that vaccines don't cause autism. He seems to base this conclusion solely on the studies done pertaining to the MMR vaccine, even though there is an increasing body of evidence which demonstrates it is the large aluminum adjuvant content in vaccines which is responsible for the development of autism.
See here: http://vaccinepapers.org/category/alu...
and here: https://imgur.com/a/noK9hdq
However, overall I am in agreement with the main message which is that vaccines, like all other medical interventions, should have their risks and benefits weighed on a case by case basis to determine if they are appropriate to receive. Gotzche does not blindly advocate a one size fits all vaccination schedule, unlike less savory characters such as Dr. Paul "100,000 vaccines at once" Offit. There are several vaccines in this book which he suggests may not have benefits that outweigh their risks (HPV, Seasonal Flu Shot); some which might only be warranted under certain conditions (Rotavirus, Varicella, Hepatitis, Meningococcal, Japanese encephalitis); and some which he feels everyone should get (MMR, Polio).
At the end of the day my main takeaway from this book is that we can do much better than to simply accept everything that is recommended. Recommendations vary considerably from country to country of similar standing, which means that some vaccines are arguably not that important. Furthermore, people with an influence on guidelines often have financial conflicts of interest in relation to the vaccine industry. Even when there are no such issues, the authorities sometimes spread information that is seriously misleading.
Billions of people are being vaccinated and billions are being earned on vaccines. There is no excuse for not demanding much more rigorous trials, including proper testing of the safety of the adjuvants. Large trials with long follow-up that allows registration of late occurring harms should be carried out independently of the drug industry, financed by the public purse. They need not be expensive, as they could be simple and pragmatic, with a minimum of administrative costs. They will likely be cost-effective, as we will likely find out that some vaccines or their combinations should be avoided.
See here: http://vaccinepapers.org/category/alu...
and here: https://imgur.com/a/noK9hdq
However, overall I am in agreement with the main message which is that vaccines, like all other medical interventions, should have their risks and benefits weighed on a case by case basis to determine if they are appropriate to receive. Gotzche does not blindly advocate a one size fits all vaccination schedule, unlike less savory characters such as Dr. Paul "100,000 vaccines at once" Offit. There are several vaccines in this book which he suggests may not have benefits that outweigh their risks (HPV, Seasonal Flu Shot); some which might only be warranted under certain conditions (Rotavirus, Varicella, Hepatitis, Meningococcal, Japanese encephalitis); and some which he feels everyone should get (MMR, Polio).
At the end of the day my main takeaway from this book is that we can do much better than to simply accept everything that is recommended. Recommendations vary considerably from country to country of similar standing, which means that some vaccines are arguably not that important. Furthermore, people with an influence on guidelines often have financial conflicts of interest in relation to the vaccine industry. Even when there are no such issues, the authorities sometimes spread information that is seriously misleading.
Billions of people are being vaccinated and billions are being earned on vaccines. There is no excuse for not demanding much more rigorous trials, including proper testing of the safety of the adjuvants. Large trials with long follow-up that allows registration of late occurring harms should be carried out independently of the drug industry, financed by the public purse. They need not be expensive, as they could be simple and pragmatic, with a minimum of administrative costs. They will likely be cost-effective, as we will likely find out that some vaccines or their combinations should be avoided.
February 18, 2020
Bombarded, as we are, by propaganda from fundamentalist anti-vaccers, and unquestioning promotion from undiscriminating advocates, it is necessary to have a book written by an expert in evaluating the science. Peter Gotzsche does not offer absolute certainty about vaccines, although he has no hesitation in saying that we should all be vaccinated in childhood against the terrible scourges of bygone days, and against the normally not-so-terrible, but still potentially very serious diseases like measles. With other vaccines we need to make decisions based on the best available evidence. Therein lies a problem.
Again and again, throughout the book Gotzsche points out where there have been flaws in the design of trials, concealment of evidence, and conflicts of interest. His criticisms extend to some medical journals, the European Medicines Agency, the Cochrane Collaboration, and the World Health Organisation. He concludes that there is far too much we don’t know about vaccines, and that it is too easy to get them approved based on substandard trials, conducted by the manufacturers, with no proper controls. He says we know virtually nothing about how receiving multiple vaccines affects us, and what, if any, long-term effect on our immune systems current practice might have.
One chapter goes into great detail about the annual flu vaccine. ‘Influenza prevention has become an industry fuelled by poor science and propelled by conflicted decision makers,’ he quotes researcher Tom Jefferson as saying. Unsurprisingly, Gotzsche doesn’t have an annual flu jab.
In this book a great deal of thought has been put into conveying the science, but much less into making it accessible and interesting for ordinary people. The writer can ramble. Sometimes his book reads like a scientific paper. Sometimes the detail seems interminable. His opinions will almost certainly annoy some people. ‘One of the major problems in healthcare is the many busybodies who love telling others what they should do’. I don’t think he can be accused of that.
Again and again, throughout the book Gotzsche points out where there have been flaws in the design of trials, concealment of evidence, and conflicts of interest. His criticisms extend to some medical journals, the European Medicines Agency, the Cochrane Collaboration, and the World Health Organisation. He concludes that there is far too much we don’t know about vaccines, and that it is too easy to get them approved based on substandard trials, conducted by the manufacturers, with no proper controls. He says we know virtually nothing about how receiving multiple vaccines affects us, and what, if any, long-term effect on our immune systems current practice might have.
One chapter goes into great detail about the annual flu vaccine. ‘Influenza prevention has become an industry fuelled by poor science and propelled by conflicted decision makers,’ he quotes researcher Tom Jefferson as saying. Unsurprisingly, Gotzsche doesn’t have an annual flu jab.
In this book a great deal of thought has been put into conveying the science, but much less into making it accessible and interesting for ordinary people. The writer can ramble. Sometimes his book reads like a scientific paper. Sometimes the detail seems interminable. His opinions will almost certainly annoy some people. ‘One of the major problems in healthcare is the many busybodies who love telling others what they should do’. I don’t think he can be accused of that.
February 27, 2021
Sin ser un mal libro, esperaba quizá algo más de lo que me he encontrado. Se trata de un libro que aborda las vacunas desde una perspectiva, analizando la evidencia científica existente en cada caso. El autor se muestra crítico con la escasa evidencia a favor de vacunas como la gripe o los daños de la del PVH, mientras en otros casos prácticamente se aterroriza con la actitud de los negacionistas de las vacunas.
No tiene miedo a la hora de alzar la voz ante el cripticismo de la industria farmaceutica, de las presiones que ejercen para implementar la obligatorioedad de vacunas como la de la gripe.
Sin embargo, creo que el libro está algo descompensado, por ejemplo, al dedicar demasiadas páginas al conocieo fraude de Wakefield (el famoso paper retractado que relaciona vacunas y autismo), y deja muy poco espacio a exponer los motivos que realmente hacen que la vacuna contra el sarampión cuente con evudencia científica más que sobrada. Por decirlo de algún modo, se anda por las ramas cuando no es necesario extenderse, pero ahí donde sí es interesante dar mejor información esta es bastante escueta.
En resumen, un libro interesante pero mejorable.
No tiene miedo a la hora de alzar la voz ante el cripticismo de la industria farmaceutica, de las presiones que ejercen para implementar la obligatorioedad de vacunas como la de la gripe.
Sin embargo, creo que el libro está algo descompensado, por ejemplo, al dedicar demasiadas páginas al conocieo fraude de Wakefield (el famoso paper retractado que relaciona vacunas y autismo), y deja muy poco espacio a exponer los motivos que realmente hacen que la vacuna contra el sarampión cuente con evudencia científica más que sobrada. Por decirlo de algún modo, se anda por las ramas cuando no es necesario extenderse, pero ahí donde sí es interesante dar mejor información esta es bastante escueta.
En resumen, un libro interesante pero mejorable.
April 15, 2021
Si vols saber sobre vacunes aquest no és el teu llibre. He trobat a faltar informació sobre com es fan les vacunes i quins problemes hi ha en la seva fabricació,i, sobretot, en com es fan els estudis de control de les vacunes, els seus efectes adversos i la seva eficiència. Que la medicina acabi havent de recolzar-se en l'estadística, no dona molta confiança en la medicina.
Se suposa que l'autor defensa les vacunes, però posa tants però i amb tan feble argumentació que confon al lector.
A l'autor li agrada utilitzar un llenguatge molt florit en els seus adjectius impropi d'un científic.
Que dediqui pàgines del llibre a defensar-se d'atacs personals és impropi.
La seva argumentació és deficient.
Parla de qüestions jurídiques amb notable ignorància.
El tema del COVID 19 és totalment prescindible.
En definitiva: em corrobora el que pensava. Les vacunes són una eina imprescindible en qualsevol política sanitària per més que els procesos de fabricació poden millorar. Com tot.
Se suposa que l'autor defensa les vacunes, però posa tants però i amb tan feble argumentació que confon al lector.
A l'autor li agrada utilitzar un llenguatge molt florit en els seus adjectius impropi d'un científic.
Que dediqui pàgines del llibre a defensar-se d'atacs personals és impropi.
La seva argumentació és deficient.
Parla de qüestions jurídiques amb notable ignorància.
El tema del COVID 19 és totalment prescindible.
En definitiva: em corrobora el que pensava. Les vacunes són una eina imprescindible en qualsevol política sanitària per més que els procesos de fabricació poden millorar. Com tot.
August 16, 2021
Excellent
I bought this book after having come across Professor Gøtzsche's work on psychiatric medication and mammography screening. Gøtzsche is one of those rare individuals who is fearless in taking on powerful interest groups. His prose is no nonsense. To summarize this book, Gøtzsche argues that some vaccines, such as the MMR jab, are highly effective, and that most people would do well to be take them. Other vaccines, such as those against HPV and seasonal flu, have less evidence in support of their use.
Gøtzsche makes it clear that all effective medications have 'harms' or 'side-effects' associated with them. These harms need to be carefully weighed against the benefits of the medication. I live in the UK, and was phoned by my local GP surgery to book an appointment to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The member of staff on the phone assured me that the jab was 'perfectly safe', which is untrue.
This book will assist anyone in deciding whether or not they take a particular vaccine. Gøtzsche is widely recognized as a leading expert on evidence-based medicine. His work is disturbing in highlighting corruption within the medical profession, often due to vested interests. I believe that it is best to seek independent expert advice, which one can then use to (hopefully) make an informed choice. After reading Gøtzsche's work, I would not trust my GP or the UK National Health Service.
I bought this book after having come across Professor Gøtzsche's work on psychiatric medication and mammography screening. Gøtzsche is one of those rare individuals who is fearless in taking on powerful interest groups. His prose is no nonsense. To summarize this book, Gøtzsche argues that some vaccines, such as the MMR jab, are highly effective, and that most people would do well to be take them. Other vaccines, such as those against HPV and seasonal flu, have less evidence in support of their use.
Gøtzsche makes it clear that all effective medications have 'harms' or 'side-effects' associated with them. These harms need to be carefully weighed against the benefits of the medication. I live in the UK, and was phoned by my local GP surgery to book an appointment to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The member of staff on the phone assured me that the jab was 'perfectly safe', which is untrue.
This book will assist anyone in deciding whether or not they take a particular vaccine. Gøtzsche is widely recognized as a leading expert on evidence-based medicine. His work is disturbing in highlighting corruption within the medical profession, often due to vested interests. I believe that it is best to seek independent expert advice, which one can then use to (hopefully) make an informed choice. After reading Gøtzsche's work, I would not trust my GP or the UK National Health Service.
August 15, 2021
Libro sobre la necesidad de las vacunas y el riesgo que implica el avance de los negacionistas de las mismas; pero también crítico con la forma en la que las farmacéuticas han impulsado vacunas que no necesariamente han demostrado efectividad y pueden causar más daños. El capítulo final es un análisis de la pandemia de Covid19 hecho en la primavera de 2020, de ahí que se vea limitado.
October 26, 2020
Interessant, kritisch boek over de voor- en nadelen van vaccinaties. Verwacht echter geen compleet overzicht, daarvoor is het boek te onevenwichtig met teveel nadruk op het griep- en HPV-vaccin. Helaas laat de vertaling veel te wensen over
August 3, 2021
Interesante, pero no tan atrapante, llegue a revolverme un poco con las vacunas que el autor considera que debes aplicarte y las que no, y pensé que hablaría un poco más de la vacuna contra el covid 19, pero fue muy poca información la que dio.
October 19, 2025
No es malo pero se explaya mucho en algunas partes pero aprendí algo de los antivacunas y los pro vacunas y solo falta investigar bien cuales son los efectos adversos o secundarios de cada vacuna ya que algunas parecen no arrojar muchos datos de ser verdaderamente beneficiosas.
July 9, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews