Vaccination a Delusion

Vaccination a Delusion: Its Penal Enforcement a Crime—Proved by the Official Evidence in the Reports of the Royal Commission is a provocative and meticulously argued work by Alfred Russel Wallace, first published in 1898. In this book, Wallace, a renowned naturalist and co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection, turns his analytical mind to the contentious issue of compulsory vaccination. Drawing extensively from the official reports and evidence presented to the Royal Commission on Vaccination, Wallace challenges the prevailing medical consensus of his time, asserting that vaccination is not only ineffective in preventing smallpox but also poses significant risks to public health. Wallace systematically examines the statistical data, testimonies, and findings of the Royal Commission, highlighting inconsistencies, misinterpretations, and what he perceives as deliberate obfuscations by proponents of vaccination. He argues that the evidence does not support the claims of vaccination’s efficacy and safety, and he raises serious ethical concerns about the enforcement of vaccination laws, which he describes as a violation of personal liberty and bodily autonomy. Wallace’s critique extends to the broader social and political implications of compulsory vaccination, warning against the dangers of state overreach and the suppression of dissenting scientific views. Throughout the book, Wallace’s writing is characterized by clarity, rigor, and a passionate commitment to individual rights and scientific integrity. He appeals to reason and justice, urging readers to consider the moral and empirical foundations of public health policies. Vaccination a Delusion remains a significant historical document, reflecting the debates and controversies surrounding vaccination in the late 19th century, and continues to be of interest to historians, medical ethicists, and those engaged in contemporary discussions about public health, personal freedom, and the role of government in medicine.