Tom Levenson: Anti-vaxxers are living in the past
Summary
Alan Alda interviews MIT professor Tom Levinson about his book *A Pox on Fools*, exploring the history of vaccine opposition from 1721 to the present. They discuss how early theological and safety concerns evolved into modern misinformation, including the debunked autism link. Levinson explains how herd immunity protects vulnerable populations and critiques current political leaders who erode trust in scientific institutions.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The invisible benefit of vaccines
History of vaccination: Cotton Mather and smallpox
Early objections: Theology and natural immunity
Historical risks: Syphilis transmission and polio disasters
Herd immunity and the eradication of smallpox
Modern perception: Why we underestimate disease risks
The Wakefield fraud and the autism myth
Erosion of trust in scientific institutions
Categorizing anti-vax groups and the role of microbes
Rapid Fire: Tom Levinson's personal questions
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