probably didn't have much to do with the DDT. I was in PA and NY at the same time period and they were everywhere. I remember as a kid getting back from field trials with the dogs having to searching them for ticks before putting them back in the runs. The big scare back then was rocky mountain spotted fever.
Not sure about anyone else but I certainly am not one to try bleeding edge vacines. They can find other ginuea pigs.
I do not even take the flu vaccine. Nothing unless I absolutely have to. I also stitch myself up.
I got a flu shot once. It was free from my employer at the time. Man did I get sick. Never again. People are too trusting of this type of stuff see vacine and let a doc inject unknown gunk into them. No thanks!