When you write to a stranger, and seven weeks pass without getting a reply, it’s natural to assume you never will. So I was pleasantly surprised when, on October 29, I received the following email from renowned author and pediatrician Dr. Robert Sears:
Thanks for reaching out, John. My response to your letter is basically that you are right. The first two versions of my book [The Vaccine Book] had errors in understand (sic) vaccines. The third version — 2019, with the Covid addition in 2023, much more accurately reflect (sic) my evolved understanding on vaccines…. My video and my podcasts also reflect better what I now know is the truth about vaccines.
Bob
The email included a link to a page he had written and posted on his site, entitled “Evolution of the Book.” I read it, expecting to find a dramatic turnaround in his thinking, but detected only slight progress. The next day I emailed him:
Hello Bob,
Thank you for your gracious reply. I’m glad to learn that your views on vaccines have evolved in the right direction. Although I took exception to much of what you wrote in The Vaccine Book, I could easily tell that your first priority, unlike the Paul Offits of the world, is the health of our children. I read the article that your email linked to, and look forward to watching your video and listening to your podcasts in the near future.
Best Regards,
John Massaro
Right after I sent this, I logged on to his site, drbobsears.com, and discovered that he charges a hefty fee to access his video and podcasts, which I declined, opting for his free monthly newsletter instead.
I took a look at the rest of his site and failed to see any substantial difference from the old Dr. Sears. He still complies with the wishes of parents who want their children vaccinated. He still fails to see the evil that permeates the top levels of the FDA and the CDC. I’m left puzzled as to why he wrote, “My response to your letter is basically that you are right.”
My appraisal of the man is unchanged. I think he has a good heart, but is still unsure of himself and will never see the big picture. As I’ve written in the past, I think it’s best for parents to avoid his advice on vaccines entirely and JUST SAY NO to all of them.