Statistical Bamboozlement with Shingles Vaccines
Statistical Bamboozlement with Shingles Vaccines
by Alan Cassels at Brownstone Institute
In this skill-testing question, tell me which of these statements is true:
The shingles vaccine is 90% effective in preventing shingles.
The shingles vaccine prevents shingles in ONE in every 32 people vaccinated. The other 31 people see no benefit.
Answer: both are true.
Guess which statement dominates the marketing of Shingrix, the most popular shingles vaccine in America?
90% effective. 90% effective. 90% effective.
That’s the main marketing message coming from the Centers for Disease Control and…
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