It's disheartening, isn't it? I've got a degree in environmental science, my fiancé in bio, my very close friend is an engineer, and another close friend is in grad school for physics. We're basically the Big Bang Theory when we all get together. I feel like whenever I hear someone deny science/research/medicine, I'm taken back because so many of my peers wouldn't think to really question it. I've tried to entertain other arguments, but... I can't.

No it doesn't. Well, large multi-dose bottles of the vaccine contain thimerosal (which contains mercury), but single use injections do not. Also, the mercury found in thimerosal is completely harmless for all intents and purposes. Saying "vaccines contain mercury, so they're bad!" is like saying, "table salt contains sodium--an element that EXPLODES when touching water--and chlorine, a harsh element we use to SANITIZE our pools! Never EVER consume salt again!" When salt/sodium chloride is absolutely necessary for nervous system/neuron transfers. No sodium in our bodies=death.

Also, it's important to recognize the different forms of Mercury: Ethylmercury and Methylmercury. Methylmercury=bad. Found in fillings, fish, can harm your central nervous system. Ethylmercury=type that is broken down by the body in thimerosal, and is cleared from the bloodstream quite easily. Harmless.

Source: CDC "Understanding Thimerosal, Mercury, and Vaccine Safety" February 2013

Absolutely not true. Not even close. This myth was perpetuated by Hugh Fudenberg who made the claim with absolutely no evidence. In fact, yearly flu vaccines are being found to decrease your risk of Alzheimer's.

Source: Alzheimer's Association and Journal of the American Medical Association October 2013

Wrong again, sir. Flu vaccines developed by Glaxo SmithKline, Sanofi Pasteur, and Novartis, (the top 3 companies who develop the flu vaccine) only accounted for 0.3% of their total profits per year, and around only 4.5% of their total combined profits.

Source: Kalorama Information April 2014

I'm sorry you feel that way, but as someone who has peer reviewed countless articles of scientific literature in my college days, and has worked in the government, I'm confident in the scientists who tirelessly work to keep completely preventable diseases at bay. Who'd have thought we would be able to eradicate entire diseases that have a devastating impact on humans?! (I'm lookin' at you Smallpox, and hopefully you too, Polio).

Vaccines are truly a modern marvel. Not supporting them has a profound impact on human health (i.e. Measles, Mumps, and Whooping cough outbreaks in NYC due to non vaccinated children.)

Links to citations:
http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Content/Blog/2014/04/04/Quadrivalents-Boost-Flu-Vaccine-Sales
http://blog.alz.org/timely-topic-flu-vaccine-not-linked-to-alzheimers/
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/patient-ed/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-thimerosal-color-office.pdf

Everyday The laughter keeps me up at night, and I can no longer go to the movies without disturbing everyone around me

Yes, because flu vaccines are developed months before "flu season" starts. Scientists, using field models and historical data, try to predict which flu virus will be the most virulent that particular year, and essentially use a "best guess" to determine what strain they'll use.

Generally, there is more than one strain used in vaccines for broader protection. More often than not, they get it right. Sometimes they don't, and other strains become dominant that aren't protected through the vaccine. Either way, there's always more than one strain of the flu floating around. Getting vaccinated doesn't guarantee safety 100% of the time, but it gets damn close.

Be careful how you word yourself, wickerman.

In scientific literature, the word "theory" has a completely different meaning than it does in "standard english;" and in my opinion, the failure to make the distinction between the two meanings is what causes such controversy between the public and scientists.

To clarify:

In terms of "common" usage, the word theory does convey "educated guesses" or "contemplative thinking."

In science, however, the word theory (It SHOULD be referred to as a "formal theory" or "scientific theory") represents a wholly substantiated explanation of the real world though repeated testing using the scientific method. Scientific theories are the most reliable and comprehensive form of knowledge.

No, because often the people at the highest risk are incapable of receiving the vaccine. There are plenty of people who are unable to receive the flu vaccine. Anyone under the age of 6 months old cannot receive it, people with severely compromised immune systems cannot receive it, or people who are allergic to any of the components of the vaccine.

Vaccines work on two levels: The first level is through "herd immunization." This process is only effective when large groups of people receive a vaccine, and therefor do not become a disease vector (i.e. they cannot pass the flu to others). This is how people protect those who cannot receive the vaccine, since enough people surrounding them cannot pass it around.

The second level is the personal immunization factor: Where you, yourself receive immunization to keep diseases from spreading.

Not entirely. The only people who cannot be given the vaccine are those with extreme conditions (again, like certain allergies, disastrously weak immune systems, infants). The whole premise of getting as many people vaccinated is to produce that "herd immunity" that DOES protect the people who are most vulnerable. This is why nearly all healthcare workers receive it, and that's why it's important that as many people as possible are vaccinated (not just for the flu, but for as much as possible).

There are plenty of vulnerable/prone to illness people out there who are completely able to receive the vaccine as well, and it serves as a strong protection for them. If anything, those people are the ones who should be getting immunized first.

They don't need to vaccinate for smallpox anymore because the disease was completely eradicated due to the widespread administration of the vaccine. Polio and measles are probably next up for complete eradication. Hopefully.