It is true that VAERS is a voluntary reporting system. It is a pain to fill out the forms and every page threatens fines and imprisonment for falsifying docs. (Not that that stopped the people who cheated in the election). A Harvard study from several years back about the VAERS system indicated that between 1 and 10% of all adverse reactions get reported. So, unless there is blatant and deliberate fraud going on in this case, it is safe to assume that there may be thousands more deaths and injuries tied to the vaccines than what the database indicates, based on the Harvard study.
So there is no way to defend against that argument then? Because I've brought up VAERS data and people say "anybody can report what they want" - so theoretically a large enough group of anti-vaxxers could falsify reports.
I can't overlook this flaw just because the data works in my favor
Absolutely this is possible. I don't think we should be making an argument that the VAERS data is solid. The simple reality is the VAERS data is all we have. In my opinion, anti vaxxers are generally honest people in society who receive no benefit by sounding the alarm on the harms vaccines have caused their children and who actually face a lot of persecution and scorn and criticism. That does not mean there is no nefarious group or individual falsifying the VAERS data. It is possible, but I think, not probable. This is anecdotal but lends a little support for me at least that the VAERS numbers for COVID vax reactions are more likely under reported than overreported ...I know several people personally who have had a complication from the vax or a health issue suspected to be connected with the vax. I only know of one person who was diagnosed with COVID and had a difficult time with the illness. Not a scientific study, but personal experience should I think be used as one source of information to help us determine what is real.
At least 9048 deaths https://www.openvaers.com/covid-data/mortality
https://www.openvaers.com/blog/call-to-action
Is this being verified at all? I'm hearing anyone can report anything anonymously.
It is true that VAERS is a voluntary reporting system. It is a pain to fill out the forms and every page threatens fines and imprisonment for falsifying docs. (Not that that stopped the people who cheated in the election). A Harvard study from several years back about the VAERS system indicated that between 1 and 10% of all adverse reactions get reported. So, unless there is blatant and deliberate fraud going on in this case, it is safe to assume that there may be thousands more deaths and injuries tied to the vaccines than what the database indicates, based on the Harvard study.
So there is no way to defend against that argument then? Because I've brought up VAERS data and people say "anybody can report what they want" - so theoretically a large enough group of anti-vaxxers could falsify reports.
I can't overlook this flaw just because the data works in my favor
Absolutely this is possible. I don't think we should be making an argument that the VAERS data is solid. The simple reality is the VAERS data is all we have. In my opinion, anti vaxxers are generally honest people in society who receive no benefit by sounding the alarm on the harms vaccines have caused their children and who actually face a lot of persecution and scorn and criticism. That does not mean there is no nefarious group or individual falsifying the VAERS data. It is possible, but I think, not probable. This is anecdotal but lends a little support for me at least that the VAERS numbers for COVID vax reactions are more likely under reported than overreported ...I know several people personally who have had a complication from the vax or a health issue suspected to be connected with the vax. I only know of one person who was diagnosed with COVID and had a difficult time with the illness. Not a scientific study, but personal experience should I think be used as one source of information to help us determine what is real.