RE: The Reality Behind Vaccines
You can't compare past as a control group to present because there are a lot of variables today that didn't exist 75+ years ago...such as:
*Present day has a lot more environmental toxins (pesticides, EMF radiation, etc) that creates a different environment than 75+ years ago.
*Present day has better sanitation than previously.
Actual control groups would be done in present-day, with a saline solution. However, vaccine control group testing is done with other aluminum-containing vaccines, but aluminum is not an inert substance when injected into the bloodstream. It's become pretty common knowledge that those with Alzheimer's often have higher than normal levels of aluminum in the brain.
More research is needed - absolutely. The presumption that vaccines are safe because so many have gotten them without issue, is not sufficient. The VAERS data and even more importantly, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program data which shows payments for injury and death from vaccines, shows that vaccines are not 100% safe. And when you have a child that's injured or killed from a vaccine, you really don't care how scary measles or mumps is presented to be.
(I say this as a parent who is not anti-vax, but who does read .gov studies and is concerned about the money in the "vaccine game")
The available vaccines are out because they are deemed safe for most of the populace, but there's always a risk as with anything. Still, while we should always seek to improve how things work, we've gotten much better on the regulations. The vaccines that have been banned historically wouldn't even reach the market nowadays. In many cases, though, people find it much too easy to blame vaccinations without conclusive evidence rather than other risks factors... like all the environmental toxins you've mentioned. We've been destroying the environment as we contaminate all the food we eat.
"The United States Public Service Act of 1944 mandated that the federal government issue licenses for biological products, including vaccines. After a poliovirus vaccine accident in 1954 (known as the Cutter incident), the Division of Biologics Standards was formed to oversee vaccine safety and regulation. Later, the DBS was renamed the Bureau of Biologics, and it became part of the Food and Drug Administration. It is now known as the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research." ~ https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/vaccine-development-testing-and-regulation