I suggest you send your future inquries to NIPINFO@cdc.gov to see if others here can offer you information that you find more useful.

 Darn, I was hoping you had the answers....are you new the agency? Can you suggest a name of someone for me to talk to?
~Wendy

I read in the newspaper my child will not get his class schedule if he is not vaccinated. Is this true? I will not be vaccinating my children and I have heard these rumors.

1.  HRS will take your children if you don't vaccinate them          

2. They will not be allowed in school

Can you please shed some light on this subject? I'm pretty sure I still live in freedom and not Nazi Germany but I would like to be reassured.
Thank you in advance,
Wendy

Each state creates their own school laws based upon published recommendations from advisory groups such as the ACIP and the American Academy of Pediatrics.  I do not know where you live, but I will refer you to a website that lists the state school laws for each vaccine.  You can click on each vaccine and you
will see a chart of all states and their laws.

http://www.immunize.org/laws/index.htm 

To be fully informed you may find these other websites helpful and informative.

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/fs/gen/WhatIfStop.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056803.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/gen/default.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/6mishome.htm#Vaccinepreventable 

http://www.immunize.org/stories/unprot.htm 

EdD, RN
Public Health Educator
Training and Education Branch
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 Dear ,

Thank you so much for taking the time to show me those websites but I have such a hard time believing what's on the web (there is so much that is just plain wrong) that I just really would like to hear it directly from you. Can you tell me if Florida Law requires that my children be vaccinated before they go to school? The web site you gave me only stated what was required not  if it was mandatory. And please tell me if I do not vaccinate, can HRS take my children? So please, no more websites unless you have one that addresses these issues.
 

The website I gave you called www.immunize.org/laws makes every effort to remain accurate regarding their information and state laws.  It is the website we use as we do not attempt to maintain and duplicate a public reference for 50 states and 14 territories.  The vaccines for Florida are mandatory, and I do not know what happens if you do not have your children protected.  You will need to call you state Immunization Coordinator at 850-245-4342; the name I see is Henry Janowski. 

Unprotected children are a concern for experiencing and spreading vaccine preventable diseases, and, if the numbers of unprotected children increase, so will the diseases.   Unprotected children often benefit from the children around them who have been immunized  and this concept is called herd immunity.  Young parents have not seen the effects of these diseases, so it is hard for you to believe the protection and difference vaccines have made in the quality of life.  We do not say that all in the vaccine world is perfect, but vaccines have certainly made a difference.

I hope you will carefully consider the decision you are making for your children's lives. 

I am hardly a young parent. And did I say my children haven't been vaccinated? NO! They have. My son seizes 6 to 8 times a day thanks to his vaccinations. I guess he is just a casualty in the war on diseases. A fallen soldier you might say.  I wish I could have talked a little further with the recruitment officer and been advised of what could happen before his "bootcamp" of seizures began. Sorry if I don't care too much about your 'herd'' of children. From what I can see the government doesn't either.  I just want to know if he can go to school or not without someone hassling me on whether or not I will inject him again with diseased animal matter along with thimerosal that you have so graciously asked drug makers to remove, sorry it came to late for my little soldier.  In my less than vaccine perfect world, the only things I've seen are seizures, ear infections and autism in my family alone. This does not include my friends. Just between you and me... measles mumps and Rubella and the like would be a 'walk in the park' compared to what my son has lived through. Thanks for the number I'll give it a call.
Wendy

 I saw this on the web and decided again to write my friends at the CDC

Dr

I find it so hard to believe you Drs. at the CDC still believe the Flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women! I'm looking here at the package insert and it states very clearly 25 micrograms of mercury! Maybe you should change your thimerosal website to say that mercury is not a neurotoxin so at least you could be consistent. The polyethylene glycol also worries me.... Isn't that antifreeze? Formaldehyde, in a developing fetus? That can't be good. What about the fact this vaccine is grown in chicken eggs? Isn't it possible there is transfer of viruses from one species to another? Please talk this over with the other Drs. up there a have a change of mind on this matter. Do you want a whole generation of damaged children? This war could go on a long time and we'll need new soldiers.

Wendy

Thank you for your note; 

The threshold levels of   mercury in the guidelines for daily exposure are believed to be well below toxic limits.  For example a can of tuna fish has an average of 17 micrograms of mercury, and there is no recommendation to avoid tuna for pregnant women. The other elements you mention are in the vaccine, but in trace amounts and have not been shown to be harmful.

These other elements inactivate bacteria and viruses, and to my knowledge, there has never been documentation of transmission of infection by influenza vaccine.

Dr ,
Maybe you are not aware of Dr. Michael Carbone out of (I think) Loyola. He has done some work on the SV40 virus (monkey origin) and cross contamination of species. Here is a paper I found on the Internet about his findings. Maybe you could give him a call and see if this is true or not and if it is, change your stance on the flu vaccine for this country and its people. I am so looking forward to your findings.

Wendy

Dear Dr
Here is a little more info on DNA transfer .....if it can happen in the polio vaccine what makes it not happen in the flu shot? Or maybe it happens you have just not heard of it. Is that what your saying?

Wendy

Vaccines and Production of Negative Genetic Changes in Humans (c) 1996-1998 Leading Edge Research Group Vaccination and Genetic Change: Mobility of Genetic Material Between Life Forms:

One of the indications that vaccinations may in fact be changing the genetic structure of humans became evident in September of 1971, when scientists at the University of Geneva made the discovery that biological substances entering directly into the bloodstream could become part of human genetic structure. Originally, Japanese bacteriologists discovered that bacteria of one species transferred their own specific antibiotic resistance to bacteria of an entirely different species. Dr. Maurice Stroun and Dr. Philip Anker in the Department of Plant Physiology at the University of Geneva, began to accumulate evidence that the transfer of genetic information is not confined to bacteria, but can also occur between bacteria and higher plants and animals. According to an article in World Medicine on September 22, 1971, "Geneva scientists are convinced that normal animal and plant cells shed DNA, and that this DNA is taken up by other cells in the organism."

In one experiment, scientists in Geneva extracted the auricles of frog hearts and dipped them for several hours in a suspension of bacteria. Afterward, they found a high percentage of RNA-DNA hybridization between bacterial DNA extracted from bacteria of the same species as that used in the experiment and titrated DNA extracted from the auricles which had been dipped in the bacterial suspension. Bacterial DNA had been absorbed by the animal cells. This phenomenon has been dubbed transcession. There is evidence that this kind of phenomenon is happening all the time within the human body. It is conceivable, for example, that heart damage following rheumatic fever could the result of the immune system reacting to its own cells producing a foreign RNA complex after absorption of foreign DNA.

In Science magazine, November 10, 1972, bacterial RNA was demonstrated in frog brain cells after a bacterial peritoneal infection. In the April 1973 issue of the Journal of Bacteriology, transcription of spontaneously released bacterial DNA was found to be incorporated into cellular nuclei of frog auricles. Studies by Phillipe Anker and Maurice Stroun have indicated spontaneous release of DNA material from mammalian cells, spontaneous transfer of DNA from bacteria to higher organisms, spontaneous transfer of DNA between cells of higher organisms, release of RNA by mammalian cells,and biological activity of released complexes containing RNA. Malignant Cellular Transformations Caused By Foreign DNA:

There is evidence that freely circulating foreign DNA can cause malignancy.In a 1977 issue of International Review of Cytology, Volume 51, Anker and Stroun discuss the possible effects of foreign DNA causing malignant cell transformations. When foreign DNA is transcribed into a cell of a different organism, "this general biological event is related to the uptake by cells of spontaneously released bacterial DNA, thus suggesting the existence of circulating DNA. In view of the malignant transformations obtained with DNA, the oncogenic (cancer-causing) role of circulating DNA is postulated."

The discovery in 1975 that viruses causing cancer in animals had a special enzyme called reverse transcriptase makes the problem even more interesting. These kind of viruses are called RNA viruses. When an RNA virus has the reverse transcriptase enzyme within its structure, it allows the virus to actually form strands of DNA which easily integrate with the DNA of the host cell which it infects. Studies by Dr. Robert Simpson of Rutgers University indicate that RNA viruses which do not cause cancer can also form DNA, even without the presence of reverse transcriptase. DNA formed in this way from an RNA virus is called a provirus. It is known that some non-cancerous viruses have a tendency to exist as proviruses for long periods of time in cells without causing any apparent disease. In other words, they remain latent. Some examples of common RNA viruses that do not cause cancer, per se, but have the capacity to form proviruses are influenza, measles, mumps and polio viruses. In the October 22, 1967 British Medical Journal, it was brought out by German scientists that multiple sclerosis seemed to be provoked by vaccinations against smallpox, typhoid, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis and diptheria. Even earlier, in 1965, Zintchenko reported 12 cases in which MS became evident after a course of antirabies vaccinations. Remember that millions of people between 1950 and 1970 were injected with polio vaccines containing simian virus 40 (SV-40) transferred from contaminated monkey kidney cells used to culture the vaccine. It is impossible to remove animal viruses from vaccine cultures. You are reminded that SV-40, the 40th virus to be discovered in simian tissue, is a cancer-causing virus.

Immunization programs against influenza, measles, mumps and polio are in fact seeding humans with RNA and forming proviruses which become latent for long periods in throughout the body, only to re-awaken later on. Post-polio syndrome is a good example of this problem. Other examples may include the so-called mesenchymal and collegen diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus erythmatosis, where antibodies are formed by the immune system against the person's own tissues - tissues which have been impregnated with foreign genetic material. According to a special issue of Postgraduate Medicine in May 1962, "although the body generally will not make antibodies against its own tissues, it appears that slight modification of the antigenic character of tissues may cause it to appear foreign to the immune system and thus a fair target for antibody production." Two years later in 1964, studies were conducted on the polyoma virus, a tumor-producing DNA virus. It was discovered that the persistent genetic DNA material in the polyoma virus brought about malignant transformations in hamster embryo cell cultures. This was reported in the November 23, 1964 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Even common non-tumor viruses, including those in smallpox vaccine and polio virus 2, can act as carcinogens. It was reported in Science on December 15, 1961 that these common viruses acted as catalysts in producing cancer when given to mice in combination with known organic carcinogens in amounts too small to induce tumors themselves. This means that some vaccinations will induce cancer, when combined with the growing problem of environmental pollution from toxic by-products of agriculture (pesticides on and in food) and industry. Of course, this information is hidden from the public, which is why the FDA, EPA and the agricultural industries can get away with "sanctioning" small amounts of pollutants in food, water and air. The connection has not been made public, much to the joy of the chemical industry, the National Cancer Institute and the growing cancer industry, which continues to fraudulently solicit public donations to justify its own existence. As an aside, it has alreadybeen admitted that polio vaccinations have caused 100% of all polio in the United States since 1980 and the predominant cases of all paralytic polio since 1972 (Science, April 4, 1977). It is suspected that the Salk and Sabin vaccines, made of moneky tissue culture, have also been responsible for the major increase in leukemia in the United States.

The use of viruses, bacteria and animal tissue cultures in mass immunization campaigns, considering that this information has been known for 20 years, constitutes an intentionally created hazard to humans. The global impact on the wide range of genotypes relative to human beings is difficult to assess, but the outcome is definitely negative, and permitting the seeding of latent proviruses in humans, knowingly, can have no other rationale other than future medical profiteering, and constitutes a criminal conspiracy of vast proportions which is tatamount to a genocidal policy against the population, further constituting crimes against humanity, which is internationally punishable by death. But, of course, especially in the United States, this fact is ignored and suppressed from public knowledge, despite a 1984 plea by some U.S. physicians to the United Nations in a report. The fact that this goes on with the full knowledge of the world medical community makes this an international conspiracy where the population has no recourse, given that vaccinations are becoming mandatory and a prerequisite for many social programs.

Persistence of long-term viruses and foreign proteins and their relationship to chronic and degenerative disease was also pointed out by Dr. Robert Simpson of Rutgers University in 1976, when he addressed science writers at an American Cancer Society seminar, saying "these proviruses could be molecules in search of a disease." Dr. Wendell Winters, a virologist at the University of California noted, "immunizations may cause changes in slow viruses and changes in the DNA mechanism." Although host cells containing latent viral particles operate more or less normally, they begin to synthesize viral proteins under the guidance of the viral DNA, eventually creating the circumstances for various autoimmune diseases, including diseases of the central nervous system, which unfortunately add to the growing load of aberrant social behavior patterns.

I note that there are no references or data cited below since 1980, and certainly I have seen no other information suggesting that such DNA or RNA incorporation is occurring with vaccination.

Dr ,
Did you get in touch with Dr Michael Carbone yet? His work was done in 1994. I will do my best to find you that information.  Are you saying that if work is done before 1980 it is not valid? What does the year have to do with it?
Wendy

Work should be replicated with more recent information to prove that it is valid and still relevant.  

Is this true?

Lawyers Claim CDC Cooked Books on Mercury: Secret Report Reveals A leading vaccine injury law group announced today that their firm is now in possession of an unreleased confidential report authored by Centers for Disease Control scientists which studied autism as a potential neurological injury caused by mercury in children's vaccines. An announcement was made by the law firm of Waters & Kraus, the firm that filed the first known lawsuit alleging that a mercury preservative in children's vaccines caused neurological damage to an infant ultimately diagnosed with autism.

Andy Waters, the lead attorney in the firm, warned that a different version of the report was eventually made public and has been cited by the recent Institute of Medicine study as inconclusive on the issue of whether the mercury-based vaccine preservative known as thimerosal has contributed to cause a nationwide epidemic of regressive autism and other neurological  disorders in small children.  The confidential version of the study, however, clearly demonstrated that an exposure to more than 62.5 micrograms of mercury within the first three months of life significantly increased a child's risk of developing autism.  Specifically, the study found a 2.48 times increased risk of autism - that is to say, children with the exposure were more than twice as likely to develop autism as children not exposed. In the United States, courts of law have generally held that a relative increased risk of 2.0 or higher is sufficient to substantiate that a given exposure causes disease.  As but one example, in the case of Cook v.United States, 545 F.Supp. 306, at 308 (Northern District - California 1982) the Court stated that, "in a vaccine case, a relative risk greater than 2.0 establishes that there is a greater than 50% chance that the injury was caused by the vaccine."  Waters indicated that, in many of the cases his firm has evaluated, including the case filed in a Texas state court on behalf of the Counter  family, the affected child received more than 62.5 micrograms of mercury through pediatric vaccines in the first three months of life. The confidential report, which was obtained by the SAFEMINDS support and advocacy group, states:  "As for the exposure evaluated at 3 months of age, we found increasing risks of 'neurological developmental disorders' with increasing cumulative exposure to thimerosal ... within the group of 'developmental disorders'... for the sub-group called 'specific delays,'  and within this sub-group for the specific disorder 'developmental speech disorder,' and for 'autism,' 'stuttering' and 'attention deficit disorder.'"

The report also contained the graph depicted below which illustrated the report's findings of a child's increasing risk of developing the neurological symptoms of autism after receiving increasing amounts of
thimerosal.

Waters pointed out that the confidential study's lead author, Thomas Verstraeten, has since left the Centers for Disease Control and is now employed by GlaxoSmithKline, a manufacturer of thimerosal-containing vaccines for many years that is a defendant in numerous suits pending nationwide.  "We have asked GlaxoSmithKline to provide Mr. Verstraeten's deposition in order to understand if conflict of interest issues may have played a role in the CDC's decision to keep this report confidential, and specifically, their failure to reveal it to the Institute of Medicine." 

Waters called the report's contents and the fact that it was kept from the public as "shocking, but unfortunately not surprising, given the political influence of pharmaceutical companies and the tremendous liability they face if they are forced to compensate thousands of families for the  costs of care that these children require."

Waters added that "no amount of money can give these children back the potential that they were born with, and no amount of money will comfort the parents that watched helplessly as their children literally just slipped away."

The purpose of the lawsuits his firm is currently prosecuting, said Waters, is "to bring to the surface the truth on this issue, a truth that government agencies seem unwilling to admit, perhaps for fear that
parents will stop vaccinating their children, and to force the companies that profited from this disastrous mistake to shoulder the responsibility that so many families now bear on their own, often without even the aid of health insurance benefits."

It is not; please see www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/thimerosal/faqs-thimerosal.htm#8

Didn't you tell me only 5 micrograms was safe for a 110 pd woman? 187.5 micrograms in a 3 month old and they don't have neurological damage? Sorry, I find that really hard to believe. Where can the study be read? What was the criteria? Did the CDC do the study or the vaccine producer?

Very curious,
Wendy

CDC did the study.

Subject: Check out Brigham & Women's Hosiptal: Multimodality Therapy of Chest Malignac

Click here: Brigham & Women's Hosiptal: Multimodality Therapy of Chest Malignacies-Update 2000  Gosh! I didn't think I would find it this quick!

Please see http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/cancer/default.htm

So basically more study is needed according to the CDC. Anyone doing any studies on it now?

Dying to know,
Wendy

I don't know; per our website,

The Food and Drug Administration has been the federal government lead in answering questions relating to SV40 in polio vaccine. You may call the FDA at the following number: 1-800-835-4709.

Dr ,
Are you sure this is not true? I've seen this twice now.
Wendy
 

October 22, 2001

Thimerosal

Last week, Waters and Kraus, a law firm, claimed in a press release that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had evidence that an exposure to 62.5 micrograms of mercury in the first three months of life raised a child's risk of developing autism almost three-fold. At issue is THIMEROSAL, the mercury-based vaccine preservative, found in various vaccines. (See RED FLAG posting below, entitled, "VERY SLOW MOTION.") Waters and Kraus, which has filed law suits alleging neurological damage due to THIMEROSAL, along with nine other law firms, says that the real report with the hot data on THIMEROSAL was withheld from scientific scrutiny, and particularly from the Institute of Medicine which recently reviewed the data on the preservative. Another less-telling report was issued by the CDC and reviewed by the institute. It seems that the author of the hush-hush  CDC study is now employed by GlaxoSmithKline. This drug company, among others, has manufactured vaccines with THIMEROSAL. So why did the CDC keep the real report confidential? I guess the lawsuits which have been filed might provide some rousing answers. This might get very interesting, as allegations of conflict-of-interest have become common on the various vaccine fronts. RED FLAGS WEEKLY will provide updates.

 

Dr

Every time I think I can't be any more astounded at what the CDC might recommend, you manage to come up with something even more offensive.  I just read in my newspaper the CDC recommends the flu shot to 6 to 23 month olds.  Have you not read the package insert to this vaccine? 25 micrograms of mercury? Didn't you tell me 110 pd women should only have 5 micrograms? Are you thinking at all up there? Do you want brain-damaged kids? Is this the plan? Do you sit around a table and just say, “well the kids won't get the flu but they will have neurological problems …oh well can't have everything?”  Show me the logic in this! Am I missing something? There are thousands of flu strains. This vaccine is for three and it was made two years ago! Why are you recommending flu shots on top of all the other vaccines? Please don't tell me you are worried kids will die from the flu without this vaccine. Those lawyers are making a real good case for heavy metal damage in children why in the world would you recommend more metal and compound the problem? You already know the damage mercury does, its in the website you just gave me! Please explain this to me in great detail or ask Dr. Keiji FukudaI how he came up with this plan. I want to be sure I understand completely.


Wendy

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS


"Panel Urges Vaccinations Against Flu for Infants"
USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (02/21/02) P. 16B; Manning, Anita

A panel from federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week that flu shots for infants between the ages of six months and two years should be "encouraged" for the next flu season, and it plans to fully recommend annual flu vaccinations for children in that age group within the next couple of years. The CDC's Advisory Panel on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which makes recommendations on federal vaccine policies, decided not to fully recommend yearly flu vaccinations for infants until certain practical details--such as insurance reimbursement issues and parent and doctor education policies--could be worked out, according to Dr. Keiji Fukuda of the CDC.  Fukuda said that healthy infants under the age of 24 months face a higher risk of being hospitalized for flu-related illnesses than do older children.  ACIP also voted to recommend that only healthcare workers and people at greatest risk of experiencing flu complications, such as people suffering from chronic illnesses and people over the age of 65, be given the flu vaccine in October or earlier.  The panel said that all other people can
wait until November to get vaccinated.  Approximately 87 million doses of the flu vaccine were produced this year, and vaccine manufacturers are hoping to make between 88 million doses and 93
million doses for the next flu season.

(No answer from the Dr.)

Dr ,
I thought you might like to see some more research done on the SV40. Maybe you can update the CDC's website to reflect the definite danger of the polio vaccine. Or is the FDA in charge of that?


Simian-Virus 40 Infection Causes Mesothelioma Cells to Secrete VEGF

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/426604

Reuters Health Information 2002. © 2002 Reuters Ltd

Introduction

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Feb 19 - The integration of simian virus-40 (SV40) DNA sequences into the DNA of human malignant mesothelioma cells is associated with increased release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Italian investigators have discovered.

This previously rare tumor is increasing dramatically worldwide, Dr. Luciano Mutti, of the Ospedale S. Pietro e Paolo in Borgosesia, and associates note in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology for February. It has been suggested that the link between the cancer and SV40 is associated with contaminated stocks of polio vaccine. Dr. Mutti's team found that two of nine human malignant mesothelioma cell lines carried SV40 DNA. Mean VEGF levels in the culture medium were significantly higher in the SV40-positive tumor cell cultures than in those that were SV40-negative, 1579 pg/mL versus 307 pg/mL (p < 0.01). The investigators transfected normal human mesothelial cells with SV40. Their production of VEGF was essentially the same as that of the malignant cells, 1554 pg/mL. To evaluate the potential angiogenic effect of SV40-positive mesothelioma tumors, the authors incubated human umbilical vein cells with the medium in which cells positive and negative for SV40 had been cultured. The SV40-positive culture medium induced significantly greater cell growth at 24 and 48 hours than did the SV40-negative medium (p < 0.01). Using antibodies to block VEGF did not reduce the cell counts, however, suggesting that "VEGF may not be the only growth factor produced by malignant mesothelioma cells capable of stimulating endothelial cell growth," the Italian team adds.  Therefore, the group recommends research be conducted to look for anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of this tumor.

Drs. Brooke T. Mossman and Dieter C. Gruenert, of the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, suggest, "The establishment of a favorable tumor environment may be relevant to both asbestos- and SV40-induced mesotheliomas and may be one mechanism whereby SV40 acts cooperatively with asbestos in the development of these malignancies."

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2002;26:167-169,189-193.
 

 How many years ago? I'm 40 and concerned

1963 and before; again, more information at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/cancer/default.htm#4

Yep, that would include me then....how comforting....wonder what they will find out about my kids and their vaccines in 40 years.....this is criminal....you need to stop vaccines until they are tested fully.

Testing that lasts longer then 6 weeks. With the same person. Would be a start. Have you seen any studies on any vaccine longer than that? Maybe a study on vaccinated vs. unvaccinated. I have seen the definition of polio and the definition aseptic meningitis they seem to be the same. Maybe polio is not even close to being gone thanks to vaccines...maybe just the diagnosis has just changed. Have there been any studies on formalin in vaccines? formaldehyde? Mercury, oh yes finally...glad to see...to bad its to late for all the autistic kids ....maybe that should have been tested fully. You know mercury is dangerous. Why isn't every vaccine pulled off the shelf immediately? You see what I mean? No concern even after something dangerous has been discovered.
Wendy

And if we pull vaccines off the shelf for theoretical concerns, then we KNOW diseases will come back, and people will get sick and die.  I think we both agree about the need, not yet satisfied, to balance disease prevention by vaccines, and preventing adverse events from vaccines.

Theoretical!!! You mean there is still some doubt mercury causes neurological problems?  Yes, I will agree that we need prevent adverse events from vaccines from happening.  I do not agree diseases will come back. They have never left. We just rename them. They can never die off if you keep injecting them into the population. Vaccines shed. The only "theoretical concern" I can see is your thinking diseases will come back. There is no proof to that statement. There is proof to mercury damage.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lovthatlea@aol.com [mailto:Lovthatlea@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 6:28 PM
 

Dr ,
Read this a tell me if this is true. Are there really no studies? You know I hang on your every word.
Wendy

This is the translation of the flyer by the society of which Dr Stefan Lanka and Karl Krafeld are presidents  of. They are actually encouraging people to write to  the government to be shown actual proof that viruses exist, since so much scientific 'evidence' is based on it. Although this has been done since the middle of  last year, in Germany as well as Austria, and apparently some other European countries, so far, no government body has been able to provide this proof or to even refer to any relevant scientific literature! I will start something like this here in the UK, and I'd love to see this started in every country.
claudia

WISSENSCHAFT, MEDIZIN UND MENSCHENRECHTE E.V.

Does vaccinating make sense?

No! Because vaccinating is comprehensive fraud. It has never been possible to create diseases with relevant microbes. In the year 1882, the bacteriologist Robert Koch started scientific fraud on political orders. As neither he himself nor others managed to cause the purported diseases with bacteria, he produced, in totally insane and cruel animal experiments, „similar symptoms“ and assessed this as proof for the ability to infect someone. All those who vaccinate refer to these experiments from the 19th Century.    

Yes! If one accepts and approves that the governments of the world irreversibly implant nerve poisons such as mercury, aluminum, solvents etc by bypassing detoxification with vaccination. These nerve poisons provoke gradual to manifest stupidification,  development disturbances of all kinds, paralysis and death of the vaccinated and serve to break the will of human beings. If the reactions to vaccines go beyond the average, then the law speaks of „vaccine damage“. No! Because ‚the ability to infect’ was exclusively defined as poisoning by scientific medicine (Virchow, Max von Pettenkofer, Rush, Klein and others) which has recognized diseases objectively correct between poisoning, deficiency and brain functions. And the latin name for poison, for example in water through faeces, decay poisons in food and from corpses is Virus.Experiments were carried out publicly which have disproven the statements about „infection“ through microbes and vaccination.    

Yes! If one accepts and approves that „vaccinating“ has turned the human being into an easily manipulatable object who now believes that health does not result from onself, but requires a strong state and its pharma industry. Because the one who allows to be vaccinated, will allow anything and will no longer notice that he/she is being poisoned and killed with antibiotics, chemotherapy, irradiation, gen technology etc.

No! Because none of those „viruses“ that claim to make you ill, like smallpox, polio, hepatitis, aids, ebola,measles, mumps, rubella and tic viruses has ever been seen, isolated and proven as existent. State medicine invented these „viruses“ in order to conceal vaccination and medication damages. This fact can easily be checked by anyone. There is no publication in scientific literature in which a scientist states and proves that he isolated and characterized the relevant virus out of a sick person. Relevant text books present, with fraudulent intention, models and photographs of cells as ‚viruses’. Any amateur can learn, within a couple of days, the isolating, photographing and characterizing of viruses which exist – and which are all harmless.    

Yes! If one accepts and approves that by way of „vaccinating“ in the Third World, massive „population control“, speak euthanasia, was and is executed. The vaccines there contain pregnancy hormones to prevent onception, gentech activated nuclein acid to sterilize males as well, plutomium with which whole tribes have been poisoned, etc. If the same nerve poisons are contained in these vaccines as in this country, then in a much higher concentration, up to 100 and 1000-fold. The resulting „vaccine damages“, acute liver failure and resulting whole boody bleedingwill then be termed „ebola“, „marburg“, „crimea-congo“, „lassa“ infection etc or as „Aids“.

No! Because even since Pasteur, no vaccine contains what it claims to contain: viruses or parts there of! If one enquires at the responsible authorities, the answer is given that this is a company secret of the manufacturer which has to be protected by the state. The health authorities, medical association and physicians conceal that each vaccine contains poisons, such as mercury, aluminum, solvents etc. Without which the „serum“ would never produce a reaction! Inserts are generally not distributed.    Yes! If one accepts and approves that the CDC and EIS and therefore the Pentagon manipulate the national health authorities through the WHO, and created through parliaments the legal frame to suspend civil rights any time and anywhere.And who execute a psychoterror, which is proven to result in ill health, against their own people by making dishonest statements about biowarfare, e.g. anthrax, pox, polio etc.

No! Because all numbers shown by the state show clearly that „vaccinations“ never had any influence on falling numbers of diseases, quite to the contrary. This is an easily uncovered fraud of those in favor of vaccinations in the production of statistics. The same goes for the definition of the various „infectious“ diseases. These are constantly changed in order to proof, on one hand, the success of „vaccinations“, such as the change of the definition of „smallpox“ and „polio“ to show their disappearance and on the other hand to invent new „infectious diseases“, such as AIDS.    

Yes! If one accepts that genocide happens in your own country, because the German penal code defines „vaccination“ as genocide: „Who, with the intention to wholly or partly destroy a national, racial, religious or ethnic group as such, impose living conditions which are suitable to effect their physical destruction wholle or partly will be punished with life long imprisonment. In lesser cases, the punishment is no less than five years.“

Appeal!

Those who continue to recommend, execute or allow vaccination, following these statements of facts. The advice is that the facts stated in this flyer will be checked by the reader. The simplest way to do this is to ask the relevant authorities for a scientific publication in which a scientist states and proves that he has isolated and shown the relevant illness causing „virus“ taken from an ill person. This is called the compliance with the First Koch Postulate, which medicine states contrary to better knowledge. The law here demands proof according to the current state of science and technology. Therefore, proving the existence of a „virus“ that causes disease requires the thermionic microscopic photograph of the isolated virus and the biochemical characterizing of the virus components. As such a proof does not exist anywhere, it becomes clear that the nerve poisons in the vaccines are intentionally implanted in the population. With this wanted deception and poisoning of the population, every citizen is obliged to file charges with the police against executioners and those involved in vaccinations. Please make copies of this and send replies www.aufwaerts.at and www.klein-klein-aktion.de.

In our book „Vaccinating – Genocide in the Third Millenium?“, statements and the history of „vaccinating“ in depth – proofs from authorities printed, such as how the Austrian president of the medical association, Dr Otto Pjeta tried to prevent with the help of the courts facts about vaccinations being made public – backgrounds explained why the  American Government has been utilizing the creation of fear in the health services since 1951 as a political means – and the reports from mothers on vaccination and the background on AIDS, BSE, MKS and further investigations, all presented to the public for the first time. The book has 304 pages and costs DM 50 and can be ordered from Pirolverlag, PF 1210, 85066-Eichstätt, per Fax 08421/99761 or e-mail: info@pirolverlag.de In Austria order from Natürliches Leben, PF 114, 6300
Wörgl. Tel: 05332/73606, Fax: O5332/76426, e-mail:
vnl@aon.at


ViSdPR Wissenschaft, Medizin und Menschenrechte e.V.
1.Vors: Karl Krafeld 2.Vors. Dr.Stefan Lanka
Ludwig-Pfau-Str.1b 70176-Stuttgart
 

I suggest you send all further inquiries to us to NIPINFO@cdc.gov.

 Education, Information, and Partnership Branch
Immunization Services Division
National Immunization Program, MS E-52
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA  30333

tel. 404-639-8813
fax  404-639-8828

Dear Dr ,

 It must be so nice to just be able to dismiss someone with annoying questions to some other department and go on with your day.  I wish it were that easy for me.  My seizing son, from your precious vaccines precludes me from “just letting it go”.  I can’t just pass him off to another department.  I must deal daily with the repercussions of the CDC’s actions taken regarding vaccinations.  What angers me the most is you do not have studies or concrete risk/benefit ratios done on these vaccines and you do not let the general public know you don’t have them.  You just make it mandatory for kids to receive vaccinations.  You are not even quick about pulling mercury out of the vaccines for Gods sake a known neurotoxin per your website. It will be an ugly day when mothers find out what you are really doing to their babies.  I hope there is a not a special place in hell for those of you that know the dangers of vaccines and do nothing about it. 

Wendy

1.       NIPINFO@cdc.gov is the e-mail address for me and others who staff our
general e-mail inquiries.  I am not "just dismissing someone with annoying
questions to some other department and go on with your day."

2. Thimerosal in vaccines has not been proven to cause harm to vaccinated
children, though further studies have been requested by the Institute of
Medicine.  It is not present in usually recommended childhood vaccines, nor
has it been in significant amounts since 2001.

3. State governments, not CDC, make vaccine regulations for school entry,
although, yes, CDC encourages such regulations.

This was a mistake. I sent a forwarded email to my aunt and she accidentally emailed the doctor!

 -----Original Message-----
From: Barbara Whitaker [mailto:bwhitaker@sprintmail.com]
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 8:46 AM
To:
Subject: RE: (no subject)


wow, you really got him running, haven't you. This could be interesting.
Don't forget to send me your rebuff now. Love, B

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 8:56 AM
To: 'Barbara Whitaker'
Subject: RE: (no subject)


Thanks for your reply.  I don't think that I am running, just replying to a person with limited facts.


Dr , so sorry my reply to Wendy went astray, but I must beg your pardon, someone with Education, Information, and Partnership Branch attached to his name on an email address should know the facts. From what I have read you don't seem to be that person. If anyone is limited on his education about the evils of Vaccines, I am afraid it is you. I know you only relay what you have been told, too bad those with monetary gains in mind are only giving you the limited facts. Fear not, I do believe there is hope for you yet, because of past communication with Wendy you have shown an interest in learning more.

You really don't want to start another conversations with someone who believes like Wendy, I don't think your heart could take it. But I do admire your spunk even if it's misdirected. Thank you for taking the time to try and convince me that vaccines in any way help our children. It will never happen. The facts that you call limited so totally out weight what the drug companies and the CDC have to say that there is no possible way those that do have all of the facts could ever believe in vaccines. Do your soul a favor and pull your head out of the  sand and really research what is going on, it will change your life. Barbara



Education, Information, and Partnership Branch
Immunization Services Division
National Immunization Program, MS E-52
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA  30333

tel. 404-639-8813
fax  404-639-8828


Dr ,

That is hysterical!!! Me with limited facts!!! Now that is the pot calling the kettle black!!! I have yet to squeeze one real fact out of you!! You don't have any!! There is only 58,000 antivaccine websites for you to read that have facts maybe if you start today researching, you might come across some!  That was my Aunt you told I had “limited facts.“  I am surprised she was so gentle with your ignorance…. she must have been having a really good day.  It is so sad that you think just because you are a doctor that you have all the answers.  Doctors are not that well trained.  When I asked my neighbor who is an OBGYN about the flu vaccine and if she had recommended it to her patients she said,” yes why”? I pulled out the package insert and showed her the mercury content….her jaw dropped and her face became bright red.  She then mumbled something about patients dying from the flu and went back in the house. She had no clue.  My dentist who has a flu shot every year didn’t have one this year. Why? you might ask…I showed him the package insert as well. He is not stupid. He no longer does mercury fillings either.  This stuff is not rocket scientism.  You can’t inject mercury into a newborn and think nothing is going to happen.  Great they have taken out mercury in 2001……hmmm wonder why? Did some facts leak out like mercury is a neurotoxin? Now lets work on the aluminum and formaldehyde and by the way what about the autoimmune problems? Why don’t you show me how autoimmune diseases are not caused by vaccines.  I can show you they are ….with facts.  Look around. Why are one in one hundred and fifty kids autistic? Why is every kid you see on Ritalin? Brain damage. Mercury damage. I know it is hard to admit your wrong. Ask my pediatrician how to do it. He admitted it gracefully…. to me.  He also said he would loose is license if he told mothers the truth.  He is a criminal in my book. He will never see another dollar from me or my insurance company.  He knows the truth and does nothing about it.  Unless there is some other agenda, vaccines should long ago been taken off the market.  Dan Burton is the only government official I have seen with any sense whatsoever when it comes to vaccines and his interest in them comes at a devastating price….his grandchildren.  Both with vaccine damage.  Seen any of his legislation?  Why don’t you join some vaccine damage group on the Internet and see the facts without the rose color of drug money.  I have sent you several articles from them but you refuse to answer them. That tells me you can’t. Or maybe you are just “limited with facts.”

Wendy

I have responded repeatedly to your notes. 

If you have further comments or questions, I suggest you send them to
nipinfo@cdc.gov

 

I saw this on the Internet is it true? Thanks in advance, Wendy

Another thing that is really bothering me is that, yes they are taking thimerosal out of the manufacturing of vaccines BUT they are still using it in the *process* of making the vaccines, and since it is no longer an added ingredient it does not have to be included in *ingrediants*.  A friend told me this several weeks ago, hearing from a legal person who has taken thimerosal free vaccines into be tested and Mercury/thimerosal is still showing up...granted in much smaller levels, but they have found a way to continue using this and not telling us about it.

The full list of vaccines that have "trace" (< 0.3 ug)amts of thimerosal is:

Aventis DTaP (Tripedia)
Aventis Hib (TriHibit)
GSk Hep B (Engerix B)

Aventis Meningococcal (Menomune)

These products should be considered equivalent to thimerosal-free products. This vaccine may conatain trace amounts of mercury left after post-production thimerosal removal; these amounts have no biological effect.

The PDR entries for both Tripedia and Engerix-B disclose that there are trace amounts contained in the vaccine.

If a vaccine package insert states that it has no thimerosal in it, then it does not.

Is it possible to work at the CDC and have financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry?
Wendy

Your question is outside the scope of the purpose of NIPINFO.  Our legal counsel recommends that if you want information regarding this matter, you can send a Freedom of Information Act request to CDC at:

Ms. Lynn Armstrong
FOIA Officer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333

No need, I got my answer. It is a lot like Tony Blair and his son Leo. A simple question is asked of him. “Did you give the MMR to your son”?  That seemingly innocuous question is all of a sudden “off topic” and he cannot reveal private medical information about his family. This answer again, speaks volumes. 

I had a hard time imagining why a government entity would recommend a detrimental product, a product contaminated with Mercury to its people as well as people in other countries and then I thought if they did, then there must be a good reason. I guess if you give enough “research grants or speaker fees” anything including a neurotoxin can miraculously have merit. Thanks for clearing up the confusion for me.  I’ll explain this to my son as soon as he is old enough to ask why he seizes with such frequency.

Wendy

 Dear Doctor

News for your website.....


San Francisco - At the American Association of Cancer Research meeting here today, controversy continued to swirl around accusations that contaminated polio vaccine stocks are to blame for certain cancers, based on the publication a month ago of two high-profile papers linking the simian virus SV40 to human lymphomas.  Less than a week after the papers were published in March, the US National Cancer Institute contacted the researchers to establish plans to send blinded results to three independent labs, lead researcher Adi Gazdar told BioMedNet

News today.

But Gazdar seems unconvinced of the NCI's intentions. "They just want to prove us wrong," he said. Gazdar and his colleagues scanned 99 lymphomas, 235 epithelial tumors and 40 control tissues for the virus. They found the virus in 43% of non-Hodgkin's  lymphomas, 9% of Hodgkin's lymphomas, and in none of the control tissues. A  second team independently found the virus in 42% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, "almost unbelievable agreement," said Gazdar, who is professor of pathology  at the University of Texas Southwestern medical center. "These are very respectable labs with basically identical results," said Michele Carbone, associate professor of pathology at Loyola University in Chicago. The "clear clustering of positives" is "no accident," he told
BioMedNet News.

This is not the first time scientists have linked SV40 to human cancers. Researchers suggested for years that millions of vials of polio vaccine, contaminated with SV40, infected individuals between 1953 and 1963 and caused  human tumors. Until recently, they were inevitably met with skepticism, even contempt - and some NCI researchers published directly contradictory results.

In 1997, the US National Institutes of Health, with other organizations, organized an international conference to review the SV40 literature and address the possibility that the virus causes human tumors. At the meeting, Carbone, presented his then-controversial data linking the virus to mesotheliomas. (Since then, more than 30 independent reports have confirmed his results). After the meeting, Carbone says, a conscientious Chicago public health  official contacted Carbone and gave him the last remaining stocks of polio vaccine from the 1950s. In her paper, Butel isolated a strain of SV40 from three patients that closely matches the strain Carbone sequenced from the polio vaccine vials.

The evidence proves Butel's results are no artifact, Carbone says. "You cannot contaminate with something that doesn't exist," he said. "This thing only exists in my freezer." Since publication of their research in the Lancet last month, Gazdar and his colleagues have been investigating rarer subtypes like leukemia and multiple myelomas. The experiments have not been proceeding as fast as they would like, Gazdar says, partly because "there's no government funding" for the research. "The lymphoma story might force them to [fund it]." An important next step, Gazdar says, is to prove that the SV40 virus causes lymphomas and isn't just a "passenger" in the cells. That is no easy task, since researchers have only been able to isolate the virus in rare instances.

For the most part, they believe, the virus launches a "hit-and-run" attack, initiating a cascade of tumorigenic events before it is destroyed by the body. Still, it is critical that this research continue, Gazdar says, because molecular and immunologic data suggest those born after 1963 have also been exposed to the virus, via horizontal or vertical transmission, or through sexual contact. The rates of mesotheliomas, lymphomas and brain tumors have also all gone up "dramatically" in the last 30 years. "Coincidence or not, we have to find out," he said. "It's something to think about."

Thank you.

Dr  or anyone else,
Will you please send me a copy of the information sheet you give to Drs that help them persuade parents to vaccinate there children?  My pediatrician has one but won't share.
Thanks in advance,
Wendy

We have no such information sheet that we provide just to doctors.  However, information on this issue is available on our website at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/fs/gen/Why.htm 

Hey look I found it!!! In a chat room on the web! Isn't the Internet wonderful!!!???The guy only had a copy... not the web address do you know it?

When parents do not believe in childhood immunization
by Beth Hibbs, RN, MPH

Special to Infectious Diseases in Children

November 1999
Part of every pediatric health care worker's job today is counseling parents. With so much health information available today, they are bound to come into the office with misinformation. One of our jobs is to correct this. Here's how. First, start by learning something about the parents' belief systems. Focus on identifying what the specific concern is and write it down while listening to the parent so that you can address specific questions directly. Some chiropractic viewpoints in the literature include a belief that proper nutrition can take the place of immunization by strengthening the immune system defenses against disease.

While a nutritious diet certainly is helpful in building the immune system, diet alone cannot prevent disease. Another common belief is that vaccines can overload the immune system. What patients don't realize is that our immune systems are exposed to many antigens every day in food and water.   Both of these viewpoints are addressed in a publication by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) entitled The 6 Common Misconceptions about Vaccination and How to Respond to Them, available free through the National Immunization Program (NIP).

Some concerned parents may themselves have had an adverse event following a vaccination, or know someone close to them who has. In this case, be sure to complete a Vaccine Adverse Event Form, which is required for reporting adverse reactions in children under the National Vaccine Childhood Injury Act. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) collects all reports of ill effects following vaccination. Some of these reports to VAERS are caused by vaccination and others are not related, but coincidently happened around the time the vaccine was given. Anyone can report to VAERS, including parents. VAERS can be reached at (800) 822-7967.

Second, identify the source of the concern about immunization that serves as the parents' reference. Is it based on recognized medical or scientific organizations? Point out that several organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and federal health agencies like the CDC are in agreement about the value of vaccines and make recommendations for immunization practices.  In some instances it may be appropriate to intervene with the source, especially if inaccurate or misleading information is made public and published in your local newspaper. A letter to the editor from a local physician can help to set the record straight.

If the source is chiropractic science, one approach is to point out that chiropractors are not in agreement about the value of vaccines. The largest U.S. chiropractic professional organization is the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). The ACA policy on immunization practices states that "the ACA recognizes and advises the public that: Vaccination has been shown to be a cost effective and clinically practical public health preventive procedure for certain viral and microbial diseases as demonstrated by the scientific community.” The policy goes on to state that "the use of vaccination is not without risk and that the association supports each individual's right to freedom of choice in his or her own health care based on informed awareness of benefits and possible adverse effects of vaccination (ACA 1996)."

Third, help the patient evaluate the specific concern. Many groups that put out information about vaccines on the Internet may have official-sounding organizational names, when in actuality they are not science- or medical-based organizations and primarily serve to reflect the opinions of individuals. If the topic of concern is published in a journal, point out that it is the weight of scientific evidence or number of studies showing the same result that determines fact from fiction. If only one study suggests an association it cannot be assumed to be factual until it is verified by other researchers. Several recent vaccine safety allegations that some patients may have seen are based on isolated studies that have never been confirmed.

Fourth, don't alienate the patient by simply dismissing their information source or becoming defensive. If you are not familiar with the specific concern, don't try to fake it but use your resources to investigate the question and get back to them or to refer them for more information. You might want to discuss with the parents how the medical and public health systems protect the public and the safety of vaccines. Governmental agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, the CDC, and professional medical associations as well as scientists are continually monitoring and studying the safety of vaccines. The suspension of rotavirus vaccine this summer was a good example of how the system works.

Fifth, use your resources. Every physician who administers vaccines is required under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act to supply a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) to the parent or guardian of the child receiving recommended vaccines. Some concerned patients need other resources to double-check information that they receive from you and others, and an effective intervention on your part is to recognize this need and provide them with additional resources to further gather information. Feel free to share the number for the CDC Immunization Hotline: (800) 232-2522 (English) and (800) 232-0233 (Spanish). The hotline has a knowledgeable staff who is aware of current vaccine safety rumors and facts. The vaccine has since been pulled voluntarily from the market by the manufacturer.

The NIP also has a Web site that includes information about vaccine safety. See www.cdc/nip.gov. For the specific Web page on vaccine safety see www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/. You might also want to pick up for your office the book What Every Parent Should Know About Vaccines by Paul Offit, MD, and Louis Bell, MD.

Sixth, if all else fails, agree to disagree. There are some individuals who have already made up their mind about vaccine risks and benefits. The best thing you can do in these instances is to state your own beliefs about the importance of vaccination and respect their final decision. You might also want to counsel them on specific measures they will need to take if their child comes down with an infectious disease, e.g., keeping their child out of school.

Beth Hibbs, RN, MPH, is with the National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What Should Physicians Do?
1. Learn about the parents' belief systems.
2. Id the source of concern about immunization that serves as the parents' reference.
3. Evaluate the specific concern.
4. Don't alienate parent by dismissing their information source or becoming defensive.
5. Use your resources.

Dr  or anyone else,
Are you having trouble finding the URL I asked about? Usually you are so prompt in getting back to me.  I hate to add another task to your day but I just read this on the net and it is quite alarming.  Can you please read it and give me your take on it?
Thanks, Wendy



I am reading about this mercury thingy and feel it needs to be put into perspective.  Now I am no doctor, scientist, govt official, vaccine funder (i.e. bill gates) or pharmaceutical health provider.  I'm a dedicated researcher, that has spent more time researching vaccines than most doctors spend in medical school or politicians serving their portfolio.

All I want to say is mercury is not mercury.... The mercury used in vaccines is called 'ethylmercuthiosalicylate'.  There, I've finally said it.  Check with any chemist and ask them what happens to a toxic metal coupled with a salicylate and ingested.  The toxicity of that metal is  increased.  This is not just mercury we are talking about.  We are talking about a substance that increases gut permeability (salicylate) coupled with a deadly neurotoxin (ethylmercury) that crosses the blood brain barrier.........(and i haven't even touched onthe sodium thing)...

This is not rocket science folks.....and if I can find the information that I can find, many in positions of power must know it........

By the way , do some research on ethlymercurithiosalicylate....then let me know how harmless it is.  Then tell me you would rather inject it into your body than hop on a QANTAS flight.

How many doctors/scientists does it take to go DUH????  

Dr. XXXXX is not on email duty today.  As far as what we know and can say,I can point you to our website on mercury.  You may already know that there is an IOM (Institute of Medicine) report there too. Click on the blue font that says IOM Report and you will see the entire report in a summary form as well as a complete form.  Thank you for your concern. http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/thimerosal/default.htm

Public Health Educator
Education, Information, and Partnership Branch
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Nurse,
Your answer to my question is so interesting. It is the way you frame your answer: "As far as what we know and can say." This implies you know more than what you can say. What stops you from just telling the truth? What would happen if you at the CDC would just admit that you made a mistake?  I think parents would be more forgiving if you would just admit mercury is causing neurological damage and withdraw all vaccines until proper studies can be done. Simple.  Less people to fight with in court in the long run. Cut your losses now. It is just a matter of time until this is out in the mainstream media.

Sincerely,
Wendy

Part 1 - Thimerosal Hearings - Long


 Dr. Colleen Boyle:

 I think we've made a considerable progress in reducing the thimerosal content  in vaccines.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 No, so you've asked that thimerosal be reduced in vaccines, have you not?

 Dr. Owen Rennert:

 I think the answer is that this was done as a precautionary measure.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Why?

 Uknnown Speaker:

 Because it was feasible to do, and there are sources of exposure to  Mercury  that we cannot control, such as that from food. And so --

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 I'm talking about the vaccine. Why is it that you have started at our health  agencies to reduce the amount of thimerosal in vaccines? As a precautionary measure?

 Unknown Speaker:

 As a precautionary measure.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 As a precautionary measure. That would lead one to believe that you're not  really sure whether or not thimerosal causes some problems. Otherwise why  wouldn't you just leave it in there and say, hey, we've run all these tests, there's no causal link whatsoever.

 Unknown Speaker:

 There is a theoretical risk.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Okay. So there is a theoretical risk. Then why have we not recalled the  vaccines that have thimerosal in them right now while you're testing this? If there's any question whatsoever about what we're putting into our kids  arms, and their bodies, and if you're reducing thimerosal because you think there may be a causal link as a precautionary measure, why don't you recall  the thimerosal that is in doctor's offices that are being injected into kids  as we speak until you are sure? Because obviously you are not sure or you  wouldn't be taking it out in anyway. Why don't you recall it?

 Unknown Speaker:

 I can give you my comments, the FDA may wish to weigh in on this issue of  recall. But as succinctly as I can put it, Mr. Chairman, being safe means  being safe from disease as well (technical difficulty).

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Let me ask you this question then. Can you create a measles vaccine, and do  we have a measles vaccine, does it not have thimerosal in it?

 Unknown Speaker:

 Yes, that is correct.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Can we create a mumps vaccine that does not have thimerosal in it?

 Unknown Speaker:

 That is correct.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Then why are you putting thimerosal in it?

 Unknown Speaker:

 At the present time, as Dr. Midthun and Dr. Boyle mentioned, we have a made  very good progress. And I can say to you that we are not putting in  thimerosal any longer in the vaccines that are being produced.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 So, if you are not, if you're not as a precautionary measure, then why are  you leaving vaccines on doctor's shelves and in drugstores around this  country that are being used in facilities where they supply them, are being  used if you are not putting them in new vaccines? If you have, as a  precautionary measure, why don't you recall the supply you have out there  until you are absolutely sure beyond any doubt that thimerosal has a causal  link to autism? Why don't you recall it? Dr. Midthun.

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 (indiscernible) public health service act, in order to make a mandatory  recall of vaccine, there has to be an imminent and substantial hazard to the  public health. And as the weight of the evidence does not support a causal  link between thimerosal --

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Then why are you taking it out of the new ones?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 As Dr. Bernier said, it is as a precautionary measure. It's recognized that  mercury, in large doses, is toxic. And any way we have of reducing the  exposure to mercury over which we have control is something that is desirable  to do.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Let me tell you, my grandson was very healthy, and very normal, and spoke,  and ran around like every other child. He got (technical difficulty) the  allowable amount of mercury through thimerosal in one day, and 10 days later  we lost him. We're trying to get him back. Now there's a lot of parents out  there that are getting all these shots when their children's immune systems  are depressed, they've got colds and they're getting these shots with several  of them at a time with thimerosal in them. And as a precautionary measure, if  you think there may be a causal link, don't you have any latitude whatsoever
 to recall those and say, we are not going to destroy this, but we are going  to hold these supplies in advance until we know for sure, until all the tests  have been done?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 Not under the public health service act, that is not what would allow us to  make a mandatory recall.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 But you are taking thimerosal out of vaccines as a precautionary measure?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 That is correct.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 How long are these studies going to take, Dr. Rennert?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 We hope to have answers of various phases within the next two to three years.


 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Do you know how many kids are going to be vaccinated today? Do you know that  in California there used to be one child every six hours was becoming  autistic? It is now one every three hours. In the United States 1 out of 400  to 500 kids are autistic, and in some parts of the country that is under 200, and that boys have a four times more prevalence of getting autism than girls.  So if you go to Oregon, 1 out of 190 kids are autistic, that means 1 out of  50 boys being born are going to be autistic. And you are telling me these  studies are going to take two to three years, and at the same time the  studies are going to take two to three years you are going to keep mercury in  vaccines, and you just saw from that Calgary, Canada study what mercury does  to brain cells? I mean, come on. If there is any doubt whatsoever, and you  say it's a precautionary measure you are taking, then why in the heck don't  you get that stuff off the market until you've tested it thoroughly? And if  it is going to take three years, put it someplace for three years in a  storage box. And if the tests don't prove out, you've still got it. And the pharmaceutical companies can still get their money. Now, on these tests that  you are doing, you said you are testing the blood for mercury. Are you  testing hair and urine samples?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 Yes. In the studies that were done by Navy and the University of Rochester,  there are samples that have been obtained for studies of hair and urine  concentrations as well.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Have you had any results from that yet?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 No, sir. The study, as far as I know, has just been completed and the  analysis is occurring. I don't have the data.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 How long will it take to get that analysis?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 I would imagine -- to be honest, sir, I don't know. I don't think it will be  long, but I will attempt to find out and give you that answer.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 We would like to have copies of the analysis as quickly as you get them. We  would like to have any records you have whatsoever about the analyzing of  blood, hair, urine, whatever it is regarding mercury and thimerosal in these  kids. You know, you were talking about how vaccines have reduced measles,  mumps, rubella, diphtheria, all these other things and that is great. And we  really appreciate what vaccines and pharmaceutical companies have done for  this country. Because they have saved a lot of lives. And what you have done  has been very laudable. But when you have a child who is autistic, from
the  time he becomes autistic until he dies, they estimate that the cost to our  society is $5 million for each child. Now, if we have 1 in 400, and the cases  are rising at a very rapid rate, do you have any idea what that is going to do to our economy? Not now, but 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now. And so, every  precaution that should be taken, must be taken, and must be taken now,  because this is not only a health issue, it's an economic issue that is not  going to go away. I mean we are talking about trillions and trillions of  dollars if we don't find an answer. And if you have got substances, aluminum,  formaldehyde, mercury, in these vaccines, and you have this huge rise and you are not absolutely sure that mercury is not causing it, you ought to get it  out of there. You ought to recall this stuff, because a doctor just said. Dr.  Bernier just said that they are producing and can produce vaccines without  mercury in them, without thimerosal. Now, granted, you might not be able to put three or four different vaccines in one vial, because an I understand it  you put the mercury in there to keep everything pure so that they can be used  and it won't be tainted. But if you can go to single vials with single  vaccines, sure the parents would have to have more shots, but if it is going  to be safer then why not do it? And why wait three years for studies? If you  think that there may, even the most remote possibility be a causal link. And  if you look at some of these studies like we've seen, and I am not a  scientist, I am not a doctor. I am just a grandfather who has an autistic  kid, and I didn't even know what autism was until a couple years ago. But  when you see the huge number of people that are contacting us through e-mail
 and through conferences, there is one going on right here, you have got to  take the proper precautions. You can't say, let's wait three years and let  this go on. So, as I said earlier, and I am going to yield to my colleagues  here, as I said earlier, we have 113 members in the autism caucus. They will be supplied with every bit of information we get, not only from you folks,  but from Calgary, Canada and around the world and from the experts we have  here. And I will be taking special orders on the floor of the House. I will  be going down there on a regular basis, reading into the record and talking  to the American people about the problems that we have. And so, the pressure  that you are feeling if any now, I don't know if you are or not, but the  pressure you are feeling right now is going to be magnified as many times as  I can make it until our health agencies either come to some conclusion that's  scientifically provable, or they get that stuff out of there, in particular  thimerosal. And I don't know why if you are coming up with vaccines that  don't have these toxic substances in them as I believe they are, I don't  understand why you don't recall that stuff, get it off the market -- and FDA,  can you do a voluntary recall for manufacturers the same as the rotavirus  recall?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 That was not a voluntary recall. The manufacturer, on their own initiative,  withdrew their product from the market.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Can you contact the people that manufacture thimerosal? And I know who it is.  Can you ask them to recall it temporarily?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 That would be something that would be voluntary on their basis.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 You can't write them a letter and say that because of the concern of  thousands and thousands of parents, and because we are in the process of  doing research on this, we think it would be prudent to recall thimerosal  products until we run all of our tests, which may take as much as three  years?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 I am sure that the companies are well aware also of these concerns over  autism.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 But you guys can't even write them a letter?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 It is their choice to make a voluntary recall and they know that they have  that choice, sir.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 So you are not going to do anything?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 Under the PHS Act we can make a mandatory recall for the reasons that I  indicated, and the Company, of course on its own volition can do anything it  would like in terms of making the product available or deciding not to  distribute it any longer.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 I will yield to my colleagues in one second. I found out yesterday that there  is a lawsuit pending, I believe in Mississippi, regarding mercury toxicity  and how it has affected children. And if that lawsuit is successful by the  people who are bringing the suit, it will probably involve a great deal of  money to the pharmaceutical company that produces this product, and other  pharmaceutical companies that use it in their vaccines. And I wonder, I just  wonder if perhaps one of the reasons why FDA is not pounding these  pharmaceutical companies to get this off of the market, especially when you  look at this Calgary study about mercury and the toxicity of it, if maybe  there is not pressure being exerted by pharmaceutical companies on our health  agencies because they are afraid of what might happen in the lawsuit if they  do withdraw it from the market. Is there any validity to that kind of  thinking?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 I really couldn't say. I do not know, sir.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Okay. Mr. Gilman.

 Rep. Gilman:

 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you for raising these issues. Permit  me to request that my opening statement be made a part of the record.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Without objection.

 Rep. Gilman:

 I do have several questions. I think what the Chairman, Chairman Burton is  raising I think is quite pertinent. And I am surprised to hear, Dr. Midthun,  that you are reluctant to issue any letter to the manufacturers if there is  some concern. You say there is some mandate in the legislation that permits
 you to make some of these corrections?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 Under the PHS Act, the FDA can make a mandatory recall if there is an  imminent or substantial hazard to the public health. And as I noted before  the preponderance of the evidence does not suggest there is a causal  relationship between thimerosal containing vaccines and autism. Thus, there  is no substantial imminent hazard that would authorize us to make a mandatory  recall, sir.

 Rep. Gilman:

 And yet, you are making a request that thimerosal not be included in the  future production of vaccines because of some concern, is that correct?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 As Dr. Bernier noted, wherever it is possible to reduce exposure to mercury,  that is a goal we would like to achieve because there are many aspects of  exposure that we don't have control over, for example environmental, food  intake, and thus it is considered a precautionary (technical difficulty)  measure. We can move from multidose vials that require a preservative to  single does vials, and that is what we have been doing, and actually have  made a substantial achievement toward reaching. As I noted before, currently  all vaccines being manufactured for pediatric use under the routine childhood
 immunization schedule either contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts.

 Rep. Gilman:

 And that is based on your recommendations?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 That is based on working collaboratively together with the other public  health service agencies and also the manufacturers that it was agreed that  this would be an achievable goal and it would be good to reduce the exposure  to mercury whenever possible.

 Rep. Gilman:

 So there is a consensus in the thinking in the medical world that it would be  preferable to eliminate that possibility in treating -- in providing vaccines  for children? Is that correct?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 It is a toxin and thus it is good to be able to reduce exposure, you can  never eliminate exposure, but it is good where you can to be able to reduce  it.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 (multiple speakers) Would the gentleman yield? Let me just ask is mercury a
 cumulative thing in the body?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 I am not a toxicologist.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 We had one yesterday, and the toxicologist, Mr. Gilman, said that if you get  a shot with mercury in it and then you get another one and another one, there  is a cumulative effect. And our children are getting 26 shots by the time  they go to school. And I might add, did you get a flu shot?

 Rep. Gilman:

 Yes I did.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 You got thimerosal. You've got mercury in your body from that shot. And Dr.  Isold (phonetic), our admiral, I called him about it and he didn't even know  it was in there.

 Rep. Gilman:

 That raises another good question. You have taken some precautionary   measures. What have you done with the public so that they are aware of these  problems? What is your educational process -- what have you done in the  educational process to the consuming public with regard to these concerns
 that you have in the medical community?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 Our labeling for our products indicates what is in the product and in the  case where there is a preservative it is so stated.

 Rep. Gilman:

 I am not asking just labeling. I am asking have you undertaken any  educational initiatives to the consuming public so they would be aware of  these problems?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 We believe that the vaccines are safe and effective including those vaccines  that were licensed with thimerosal as a preservative, sir.

 Dr. Roger Bernier:

 Mr. Gilman, if I might add something, because we've discussed this at CDC in  anticipation that we might have this question. And I think one of the things  that CDC has done, at least as we generally try to work with the provider  community to try to provide information about these matters. And so in the  last 22 months, during the time when this episode has been ongoing, there  have been repeated publications, for example, in the morbidity and mortality  weekly report at CDC, there have been joint statements between the government  agencies and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of  Family Physicians. So we have worked to put information in the hands of the  providers so that they could address the concerns of the parents. Also, we  have had on our website information about these matters. We have a hot line  where parents can obtain information. So, I wouldn't want to leave the  impression that we haven't been proactive, if you will, about putting  information out there. Because I think we have been.

 Rep. Gilman:

 You're saying you are putting it in the hands of the providers. But what  about the consuming public? What are you doing -- you are a government  agency, what are you doing about educating the public about these dangers?  What has been done by your agency or any of the panelists who are here  representing our government agencies? What has been done to make the  consuming public aware of these mercury problems?

 Dr. Roger Bernier:

 Like I said, at least speaking for CDC, traditionally we make, we work  through the providers to address the concerns of the parents.

 Rep. Gilman:

 You don't go beyond the provider? If the provider fails to make the  information available, are you satisfied?

 Dr. Roger Bernier:

 Well, we have also the vaccine information statements that parents are given  prior to vaccination. And that is one direct connection we have with the  parents at the time of vaccination.

 Rep. Gilman:

 Are these statements that your agency makes for the parents?

 Dr. Roger Bernier

 Are they what, sir?

 Rep. Gilman:

 Are these statements that you make available to the parents?

 Dr. Roger Bernier:

 Yes.

 Rep. Gilman:

 How is that distributed?

 Dr. Roger Bernier:

 These are widely available, required by law to be made available, (technical  difficulty) children are immunized before every immunization vaccine --

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 If the gentleman would yield. Let me just and then we'll get to Dr.Weldon.  Mr. Gilman, do you ever use nasal spray?

 Rep. Gilman:

 No.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Does your wife or any of your friends ever use nasal sprays?

 Rep. Gilman:

 My wife does.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Do you know that most nasal sprays have thimerosal in them?

 Rep. Gilman:

 I didn't know that.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Yeah. There's mercury in a great many product that we use as adults. And  there is a tremendous rise in the number of cases of Alzheimer's. And mercury  has a debilitating impact on the brain, as you saw, you probably didn't see  it in that Calgary study. And so it is not only the children that are being  affected by this, in my opinion, and I am not a scientist, it is all of us.  Because we are getting mercury through the environment, but we are getting  them in nasal sprays -- and health agencies, not too long ago, took mercury  out of all topical dressings because they said it would leach into the skin  and cause problems. And yet it is in nasal sprays, it is in a lot of products  we use (technical difficulty)

 Rep. Gilman:

 Mr. Chairman, if I might reclaim my time. It would seem to me there is a  responsibility by our agencies, whether it be NIH, whether it be CDC,  whatever agency is involved in regulating our vaccines, that we make more  information available to the public of the dangers of mercury. And make it  available, not only just to a potential user of the vaccine, but to the  entire public. So I'm urging those panelists who are here today to address  that problem, since it is a problem that can affect millions and millions of  our population. Just one other question, Mr. Chairman. Parents are becoming  concerned about the vaccines that are already on the market that have not  been recalled. But many are unaware of what is being done (technical  difficulty) preventative actions are your concerns because you have directed  the manufacturers to take some steps to remove this product. But what have  you done with the product that is still on the shelves around the country?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 It remains on the shelves, sir.

 Rep. Gilman:

 And could be used.

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 And could be used, that is correct.

 Rep. Gilman:

 Shouldn't you have some responsibility to remove that if you are concerned  about its use?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 Again, as I mentioned, there are certain conditions that allow us to make a  mandatory recall, and that is not one of them. You have to have an imminent  or substantial hazard to the public health -- (multiple speakers)

 Rep. Gilman:

 Are you concerned that if some of these products are used they could cause  some problems in the health of young people?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 The evidence does not show that there is a causal relationship between  thimerosal as used in vaccines (technical difficulty).

 Rep. Gilman:

 And yet you recommended that -- (technical difficulty)

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 That's correct, because if we can decrease exposure to mercury in ways that  are available to us --

 Rep. Gilman:

 But if you are concerned about the increase in exposure, then why not take these products and take them off the shelf, prevent their distribution if you  really are sincerely concerned about the use of these products? It would seem  to me there is an absence of responsibility here by your agencies.

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 Well, we have to follow the regulations as they are written, sir.

 Dr. Roger Bernier:

 Mr. Gilman, could I add -- I want to, I think, try to correct an impression  that I think is being generated here. And that is that if the vaccine is not  being recalled, then nothing is happening. And I think nothing could be  further from the truth. Please allow me to just take a minute to explain what  has changed between (technical difficulty) and I think the impression is  getting, well, if we don't accomplish a recall, then somehow this problem is  not being addressed. And I think there are two or three things I'd like to  point out.

 Rep. Gilman:

 Doctor, if I might interrupt. When you have faulty tires on vehicles, we demand that they be recalled. If we have a medication that is on the shelf  that could create some problem, it would seem to me there is enough evidence,  even though it is not fully explored, that there is enough evidence  available  that these products should not be allowed to go out to the consuming public.

 Dr. Roger Bernier:

 Mr. Gilman, we have no faulty vaccines on the shelves.

 Rep. Gilman:

 You already testified before us, at least Dr. Midthune has testified that as  a preventive measure you are recommending to the producer not to use this  product. It would seem to me that that is enough evidence to take the rest of  the product off the shelf.

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 We have not recommended that a product not be used. We have worked with  manufactures to reduce the use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines.

 Rep. Gilman:

 And you have done that because you have concern about the future health of  young people, isn't that correct?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 We have concerns about overall exposure to mercury from all sources in the  environment, and this happens to be a source we can control by switching to  single dose vials in large part.

 Rep. Gilman:

 And these other products that are still on the shelf could contribute to  their health -- to their poor state of health, is that right?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 We do not believe the products out there -- we believe that they are safe  products, sir.

 Rep. Gilman:

 No further questions.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Dr. Weldon.

 Rep. Weldon:

 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank all the witnesses for testifying. I  certainly thank your efforts to try to answer and address the issues and  concerns we have. Dr. Rennert, you testified, I believe, that the total  spending at NIH will be $52 million on autism related research?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 I believe that's right.

 Rep. Weldon:

 Correct me if I'm wrong, that is including a lot of autism related research, but the actual figure on autism specific research is smaller than that, is that correct?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 I can't tell you that for sure. I will tell you that the list we submitted is correct. We will go back and review and provide you with the information.

 Rep. Weldon:

 I would like you to personally provide that to me because I have had people  come to me and say the net was cast pretty wide to come up with a figure that  high, and that the figure for autism specific research is actually about a  third or less of that. And the reason I bring that up is, I had my staff pull a congressional research study on AIDS. And the figures that were provided to  me from CRS is that there are 300,000 Americans currently suffering with  AIDS, and 115,000 living with HIV. Now I realize some people estimate that  those figures are quite a bit higher, and that there is a substantial cohort  in the population who have exposure to HIV, they are carrying HIV and they  don't know it. But if we use those figures, and those figures have appeared  in the media, that is about 415,000 people. The federal expenditures on  research and treatment and the various (technical difficulty) billion  dollars. Now if we just look at the research number, I have a figure of 3.1  billion in the year 2000. I could not get the 2001 figure. Now, I am told we  have about a similar number of kids with autism. That is also very debatable.   If you look at autism spectrum disorder, you get a much larger number. When I  do the math, it comes out to, for research, about $7,000 per person with AIDS  and about $140 for each child with autism. Another way to look at that figure  is for every $7.00 we spend on AIDS related research we are spending $.14 on  autism related research. Do you, and I would ask any of the panelists to  comment on this, do you feel that -- and I feel the ultimate responsibility  for this rests with the Congress, not with you, okay? So I am not trying to  make you feel bad. I think we have a responsibility to make sure that our  money is spent, or the public's money, the taxpayer money is spent  appropriately. Do you think this is an appropriate level of funding, a  relatively appropriate level of funding?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 You have evoked my bias as a pediatrician. And I believe our future is with  our children. What I can tell you is that we will spend more money on autism  research, that the numbers that I've presented, regardless for the moment of  the magnitude, represent an increase in funding, at least in recent times, for this area. And I certainly subscribe to the notion that this is an area  that should be an area of focus and emphasis for us.

 Rep. Weldon:

 Does anybody else want to comment?

 Dr. Colleen Boyle:

 I would be happy to.

 Rep. Weldon:

 Adequate levels of funding for the types of research studies that need to be done on this?

 Dr. Colleen Boyle:

 We direct money at CDC as directed by Congress, but I can tell you that in  the last year we have gotten a substantial increase in our funding for  autism. And that has really allowed us to develop the state surveillance,  state monitoring programs that I referred to in my testimony. It is allowing  us to develop the infrastructure to actually be doing a very large study of the epidemiology of autism. So I feel that we have made substantial progress.But we have a lot further to go.

 Rep. Gilman:

 Would the gentleman yield?

 Rep. Weldon:

 I would be happy to yield.

 Rep. Gilman:

 Have any of you made a request for additional monies that have not been  allocated for your autism research? Have any of your agencies made a request  for additional sums in the budget that were not allocated to you? Or were you  all satisfied with the way the funds were being allocated?

 Rep. Weldon:

 I could ask it a different way. Were all of your requests granted to you by  your superiors within the agencies you work in?

 Dr. Karen Midthun:

 May I just say that at FDA and office of vaccines we don't have the ability  to ask for funding for studying autism per se. Our mission is to regulate  vaccines.

 Rep. Weldon:

 What about CDC and NIH?

 Mr. Owen Rennert:

 The answer for NIH is no.

 Rep. Weldon:

 We will make sure your future is secure in the years ahead. Dr. Boyle, I have  got to ask you a question related to what you are doing. We had a physician  testify yesterday about this increasing incidence issue, and I think you came  in my office once and we talked about this and the change in the diagnostic  statistical manual. And he made a very good point. We're all the adults, if  the prevalence isn't increasing, if the incidence isn't increasing, then  where are all the adults? In all of these studies you are looking at  prevalence and incidents, are you looking at prevalence in adults to try to  make a determination to answer that question? Is the rate increasing?

 Dr. Colleen Boyle:

 Our studies have been directed at children. We primarily look at school-age  children, children age 3 to 10. That is a very good question. And as may have  come up yesterday, the prevalence, we call it prevalence only because we  think most of it has to do with sort of prenatal etiology, so that someone
is  either with the condition or with the specific genetic predisposition for the  position. So we refer to prevalence.

 Rep. Weldon:

 I would recommend you look at that issue, looking at the disease prevalence  throughout all age groups in the population, because I think that is a very  critical question if we are going to try to get --

 Dr. Colleen Boyle:

 I think Dr. Amerol (phonetic) testified yesterday about efforts in California to address the issues of sort of changes in diagnosis as many researchers  have suggested as well as the greater awareness of the condition and the  impact that has had on the increase in the number of cases seen in  California. And actually I think that is going to be a very interesting  study. It is really going to be able to shed some light on what is happening.

 Rep. Burton, Chairman:

 Can we come back to you, Dr. Weldon? Mr. Waxman is here and he wants to ask a few questions then we'll come right back to you.

 Rep. Waxman, Ranking Member:

 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Bernier, the CDC has explained that it is  opposed to recalling thimerosal containing vaccines because it is concerned  about shortages. In fact I understand there is a concern about a shortages of  DTaP vaccine. But at the hearing yesterday, one of the witnesses suggested that stocks of non thimerosal vaccines are adequate and that there was no need to keep containing

Dr
When I read this I thought of you.  Is this you Dan Burton is talking to? This whole debate reminds me of talking to you! Especially the "theoretical" part!  I'm so glad you all decided the smallpox vaccine would be to dangerous to unleash on the general public. Are all you at the CDC going to have the vaccine?  When are the shots going to be given to our first responders? Is this vaccine live? Does it shed? I have excema on my hand and don't want to be near any police shedding viruses so I really must know.
Wendy

The smallpox issues are discussed at this website:

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/smallpox/default.htm

Education, Information, and Partnership Branch

Immunization Services Division

National Immunization Program

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Why won't you let these people look at the vaccine damaged kids records?

Wendy

 CDC Condemned by Parents Group for Hiding Vaccine Safety DataSafe Minds asks for immediate release of CDC's Vaccine Safety Datalink data to independent researchers and criticizes CDC's attempts to shield damaging findings from public scrutiny

      [From a Safe Minds press release.]

      Safe Minds issued a statement condemning the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stance on release of the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) data in light of testimony given during the House Government Reform Committee hearing on "The Status of Research Evaluating the Possible Vaccine-Autism Connection" held yesterday in Washington, DC.  Testimony from CDC officials concerning their mishandling of vaccine-related epidemiological studies confirm Safe Minds' own investigations that the CDC is producing biased analyses using the VSD.  Safe Minds has formally requested the CDC to open
the VSD data to all qualified, university-based researchers, but the CDC has refused to do so.
      Instead, the CDC's National Immunization Program division has offered to provide limited access only to selected portions of the data which CDC personnel themselves will both choose and manually extract. Only researchers whom the CDC approves are allowed access, and researchers must come to the CDC's Center for Health Statistics to conduct their work. Before leaving, researchers must submit their analyses for review by CDC personnel, who are allowed to edit the findings.   "These requirements by the CDC effectively preclude any independent researcher from utilizing this database," stated Liz Birt, Chief Counsel for Safe Minds.  "The CDC uses the VSD to assess the safety of vaccines which are given to virtually every infant in this country. The public deserves to know whether these assessments are accurate. All scientific research must be validated by other scientists. The CDC is preventing this basic foundation of good science to happen. American taxpayers, who fund the VSD, can only speculate why the CDC would do this."  Members of Safe Minds have tried for the last fifteen (15) months to
obtain the release of the raw  data used by the CDC to conduct vaccine safety epidemiological studies also referred to as the Vaccine Safety Datalink System "VSDS". CDC has rebuffed all requests by falsely citing "patient confidentiality" as a reason.  This objection is disingenuous at best for the following reasons:
      1) Patient confidentiality issues are handled with appropriate
safeguards on a DAILY basis in epidemiological research.
      2) The data in the VSDS is coded by a number not a name.  It would be virtually impossible for an independent researcher to be able to ascertain the identity of a patient from this number. CDC internal documents, obtained by Safe Minds under the Freedom of Information Act, clearly state that the patient information is protected and cannot be known by CDC researchers themselves.
      3) Proposed regulations written by Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) would  allow HMOs and insurance companies to sell patient data with identifiers to any party (including a pharmaceutical company) who has a responsibility for:
1) monitoring the quality, safety and effectiveness of an FDA regulated product;  2) to track FDA regulated products; 3) to enable product recalls, repairs or replacement or look back; and 4) to conduct post marketing surveillance.  Therefore, all Americans under the HIPPA regulations will have their private medical records open to both the pharmaceutical companies without any patient privacy safeguards.  These regulations also apply to the CDC.   Safe Minds believes that the full release of this database is essential to ensure continued parent confidence in the safety of pediatric vaccines. If confidence erodes,  immunization levels may decline and the incidence and therefore morbidity and mortality from childhood infections may increase. "Safe Minds encourages members of the public including the media to examine the facts and not take as a given the CDC 'spin' on this issue," said Ms. Birt.  "We support a plan which would allow the VSDS to be stored at an independent research center with appropriate patient privacy safeguards."   Safe Minds (Sensible Action for Elimination of Mercury Induced Neurological Disorders) is a non-profit parents organization founded to investigate the continuing risks to infants and children of exposure to mercury from medical products, including Thimerosal in vaccines. Its Web site is www.safeminds.com.
 

Your question was referred to legal counsel's office.


Public Health Educator
Education, Information, Partnership Branch, ISD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 

( I received no response)

I have the package inserts for my children's vaccinations and I notice formaldehyde is in the vaccines can you tell me how much is present and what is the RDA for something like formaldehyde? Are there any studies showing its safety done that you can lead me to?
Thanks for your help,
Wendy

The first website lists the vaccines that contain formaldehyde (which is in small amounts).

The second website tells about the product manufacturing process and production discusses safety.

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/Appendices/A/Excipient.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/od/nvpo/fs_tableVI_doc1.htm

Public Health Educator

Education, Information, Partnership Branch, ISD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr

 I took your advice and started reading the book "Vaccines."  I just read about the "Cutter" incident. Why in the world would you recommend this book to me? Did those parents of the kids know this was an experiment? SV40 was mentioned and verified that is was in the vaccine. Why did you tell me you hadn't heard of vaccines being contaminated? I guess at the time of the writing of the book he didn't know about Dr Michael Carbone? I just read they are using endotoxin in vaccines as an adjuvant. Have you read the work of Dr Robert Reisinger? Click here: SLEEPING POSITION, FORMULA FEEDING, ENDOTOXIN AND SIDS Robert C Reisinger He has a magnificent understanding of endotoxin as is relates to SIDS and shaken baby syndrome. I'm sure he would go crazy if he know endotoxin was in vaccines. I wonder if all the people in jail right now for shaken baby syndrome know endotoxin is in vaccines. Have you heard of Alan Yurko? Five other babies died from his same vaccine lot yet he is in jail.  For life. It just doesn't seem fair.  Doctors can administer vaccines and governments can mandate them but when they turn dangerous the parents are held responsible.  I guess I should count myself lucky that I wasn't hauled off to jail when my son started seizing from his vaccines. I'm only on page 37 of this book and it is already scaring me to death. If I read one more time how about how "less is known" or "does not appear to be" or "no clear conclusions can be made" I'm going to scream! Can you recommend any book that knows for sure about vaccines or even how the immune system works?
Wendy

As I have mentioned before, I suggest you send all further inquiries to us to NIPINFO@cdc.gov.

Does the new flu vaccine this year have thimerosal in it?
Thanks in advance,
Wendy

Influenza vaccine distributed in the United States contains thimerosal, a mercury‑ containing compound, as the preservative.  Thimerosal has been used as a preservative in vaccines since the 1930s.  There is no evidence of harm caused by thimerosal in vaccines. But in 1999, the U.S. Public Health Service and other organizations recommended that efforts be made to reduce the thimerosal content in vaccines to decrease total mercury exposure, chiefly among infants and pregnant women.  Since mid‑ 2001, all routinely administered childhood vaccines for the U.S. market have been manufactured either without thimerosal, or with only trace amounts of thimerosal. This has resulted in a substantial reduction in the total mercury exposure from vaccines for children.  

For the 2002‑ 2003 influenza season, a limited number of doses of reduced thimerosal‑ content influenza vaccine will be available. Currently, reduced thimerosal content vaccine is available from only one manufacturer, Evans Vaccines, marketed with the trade name Fluvirin.  Fluvirin contains less than 1 microgram of thimerosal per dose, compared to 25 micrograms per dose for other influenza vaccines. Fluvirin is approved for use in persons 4 years of age and older. It should not be used in children 6 months to 4 years of age.  ACIP believes that because of the known risks for severe illness from influenza infection and the benefits of vaccination, the benefit of influenza vaccine with reduced or standard thimerosal content outweighs the theoretical risk, if any, from thimerosal. The removal of thimerosal from other vaccines further reduces the theoretical risk from thimerosal in influenza vaccines.

Let me get this straight.

Fluvirin contains less than 1 microgram of thimerosal per dose (this is good)

is approved for use in persons 4 years of age and older (not approved for babies 6months and younger?

It should not be used in children 6 months to 4 years of age. (Why?)

So that means pregnant women and children under 6 months get the 25 micrograms of thimerosal? I hope I have misread this. Please explain.

Wendy

The information provided below is correct and the latest information from the vaccine manufacturers. 

Fluvirin is manufactured outside the U.S.  A limited number of doses, not all doses of Fluvirin, will contain the reduced 1 microgram of thimerosal.  This vaccine is not licensed by the FDA for use in persons 4 years of age and under, based on the manufacturer's safety and efficacy data at time of licensure.  Perhaps you will find the information at the following website helpful, http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/thimerosal/default.htm.

  (I am in red)

 This vaccine is not even made in the U.S.? What country is it made in? Do they have the same standards as our country? If I am understanding this correctly there aren't many doses of this vaccine so most of the country will be getting the shot with 25 micrograms of thimerosal.  I noticed it is the same strains as last year with the exception of the Hong Kong strain. How many strains of flu are there? And is 25 micrograms of thimerosal safe for babies? Thanks for your time.
Wendy

Fluvirin vaccine is manufactured by a British company. A vaccine is not licensed for use in this country unless it meets all FDA standards and requirements. Yes, I thought that too until I read this:
Earlier this year, according to an October, 2000 article by the The Observer, a leading British newspaper, British pharmaceutical company Medeva's Liverpool plant was found by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be producing vaccines in filthy conditions. The FDA report found that Medeva neither maintained nor cleaned its equipment. It also reported that Medeva was unable to prove that its vaccines were not contaminated with bacteria or fungi. Because it exports flu vaccine to America, Medeva got a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “warning” to clean up its act. However, in a report dated October 22, 2000, The Observer noted that the FDA had not re-inspected the filthy Medeva factory since it sent the warning letter earlier this year and has given the company the green light to sell an estimated 20,000,000 doses of its “Fluvarin” flu vaccine in the U.S. during this cold and flu season. FDA approval of the potentially contaminated Fluvarin for sale in the U.S. was likely influenced by a shortage of flu vaccine here this season. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Immunization Program Director Dr. William Atkinson, the A-Moscow-1099 strain of flu virus did not incubate properly this year and, therefore, did not produce “serum” in large enough quantities to produce sufficient doses of flu vaccine to meet demand. So, despite Medeva's “history of contamination and production blunders,” FDA has authorized the distribution of Fluvarin to clinics and hospitals all over the nation. According to The Observer, the FDA claims that the vaccine is safe. The FDA also, at one time, claimed that silicone breast implants and Phen-Phen were “safe” -- and those are just two of many FDA-approved products that have ultimately been linked to serious health side-effects that include chronic degenerative disease and death. Fluvarin is currently on the shelves of doctors' offices and health departments all over the country and is being administered to the public. Medical personnel in the northwest U.S. who confirm that they have administered Fluvarin are unaware of the Medeva scandal or the likelihood that the triple-antigen flu vaccine is contaminated.
So is this the company that makes the flu vaccine we are speaking of?

Each year the World Health Organization makes recommendations for influenza
vaccine strains based on strains circulating throughout the world. The influenza vaccine used in this country contains 3 strains.

I know that. What I asked was how many flu strains are there.

The vaccine is considered safe for use in children and pregnant women or it would not be licensed and recommended for use in these populations. Rotavirus vaccine was licensed and recommended as well but it is off the market. HRT was recommended for 20 years and is now off the market. I won't go on I'm sure you get my drift. I don't know about you but I think 25 micrograms of mercury in a baby is too much and in a developing fetus is downright criminal. What are you thinking?
Wendy

No answer from the nurse....

Can anyone tell me how many strains of flu there are?
Thanks, Wendy

In general, at any given time there are only 3 strains of influenza circulating: two type A viruses (H3N2 and H1N1), and a type B. There are many different isolates of these three strains, and they may all have different names. But in the laboratory, they all can be grouped into one of these three broad strain types.

National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control

 So this is why you use the 3 strains in the flu vaccine? If so, then why is it changed every year?
Wendy

The message you refer to isn't attached, so I can't respond to your first question.  Influenza vaccine is changed each year because the viruses evolve, and different strains circulate each year.  A vaccine that is effective against strains circulating one year may not be effective against those circulating the next.

National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control 

Original question: Can anyone tell me how many strains of flu there are?

Thanks, Wendy 

In general, at any given time there are only 3 strains of influenza circulating: two type A viruses (H3N2 and H1N1), and a type B. There are many different isolates of these three strains, and they may all have different names. But in the laboratory, they all can be grouped into one of these three broad strain types.

 Next question:

Then why is the first two strains of this years vaccine made in 1999? Shouldn't this have changed? The last one is made in 01 last year. Is it possible to tell when the strains change? This seems like a very old vaccine.

Wendy

The year (e.g., 99) in the vaccine name designates the year the virus strain was isolated, not the year the vaccine was made.  One way to recognize when a virus strain is changing is that vaccines containing that strain no longer provide good immunity.

So you just have to wait and see if the shot really works this year or not by the number of people that get the flu? If a lot of people despite having the vaccine are infected with the flu then you can only conclude this strain has mutated? Is this assumption correct?
Wendy

 I just found out my pediatrician is recommending the flu shot to my children. Not one but two shots of this. This vaccine contains 25 micrograms of mercury in each shot, am I wrong in being concerned about this? Please help me with this logic.
Thanks,
Wendy

There are a few manufacturers who are producing the vaccine this year with reduced amounts of thimerosal.  The first time a child ever receives influenza vaccine, the first dose is to prime the child's system and does little to prevent disease.  The second vaccine provides the desired protective effect.

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flu.pdf

What exactly does prime their immune system mean?
Wendy

It's similar to introducing their immune system to the vaccine.

 So is this is why they give so many DTP's and so many polio vaccines? To keep introducing their immune systems to the vaccine? At what point do they actually recognize the virus?

(no answer from the nurse)

Hi, I didn't get a response from you for my last question, Maybe it didn't come through? Here it is again..you said:
 

It's similar to introducing their immune system to the vaccine. I asked:
 

So is this is why they give so many DTP's and so many polio vaccines? To keep introducing their immune systems to the vaccine? At what point do they actually recognize the virus?

Is it possible to talk to the same person until the end of my questions? I have posted the same question 3 times now. I am getting discouraged thinking I may never get my questions answered.
Wendy

CDC: No, it is not possible. We answer hundreds of Emails each month and have a team of six people answering them. You need to include prior exchanges when responding to us. That way, we know what the earlier questions were, and how they were answered.

Here is my question: Why are babies getting two flu shots? Someone there said because the first shot primes the immune system and the second one actually works. My second question: Are they the same vaccines or are they different (each shot) Hope this helps me get an answer!
Wendy

The very first time that any child under 9 years of age receives the influenza vaccine, it is recommended that they receive two doses. You are correct in that the first dose primes the child's immune system so that it will respond well to the second dose and mount an immune response. Any of the influenza vaccines can be used for the first and second doses. The same dosage is used for both


Nurse Educator
National Immunization Program, CDC
Tel: 404-639-8212
FAX: 404-639-8828
Read to the bottom for question,,,,

Here is my question: Why are babies getting two flu shots? Someone there said because the first shot primes the immune system and the second one actually works. My second question: Are they the same vaccines or are they different (each shot) Hope this helps me get an answer!
Wendy



Is this why babies receive so many DPT shots as well? 2 months is a primer 4 months is a primer 6 months is a primer and 15 months a primer and then at 4 yrs old that is the one that works? Or do I have this all wrong?
Wendy

So really it is all a guess and a hope that these vaccines work. If antibody levels wane over time, do they really work in the first place? If a child comes down with.. for example whooping cough at 9 months, then all you can say is his antibodies must be waning or vaccines are not 100% effective. Since there is no real way to tell for sure if they are working, it is safer to not get them. Do you have any studies showing for sure they work?
Wendy

It seems are though you are really interested in the details of the DTaP vaccine.  Here are chapters from a text we use that will give you lots of numbers and background on the efficacy of each.  http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/Diphtheria-sm.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/Tetanus-sm.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/Pertussis-sm.pdf

 

Wow I really liked that website you sent. I really learned a lot. I didn't know diphtheria is an aerobic gram-positive bacillus and that normally inhabits the nasopharynx and skin.

That means it can be treated with antibiotics. Can you really ever become resistant to something that is on your skin? Or maybe it stays in check as long as the body is healthy? What is the need to inject it inside the body if it is already on the outside?

I also read this: The number of cases gradually fell to about 19,000 cases in 1945 (15 per 100,000 population).  A more rapid decrease began with the widespread use of toxoid in the late 1940s.

When the number of cases fell to 19,000 is this before the vaccine came out? What year did the vaccine come out in? It sounds as if it had already fallen that much before the vaccines came out. And I reading that wrong? Maybe it was on its way out for other reasons like people taking better care of themselves?
 
Why would they incorporate it in the tetanus vaccine? Doesn't that mean kids get 4 tetanus shots as well? Don't you say tetanus should be given every ten years?

And this: A nodule may be palpable at the injection site for several weeks.
Abscess at the site of injection has been reported

What is in the nodule? The toxin sitting there? Or is it the formaldehyde or aluminum salt and preserved with thimerosal?

This is scary:
Rarely, severe systemic reactions such as generalized urticaria, anaphylaxis, or neurologic complications have been reported by those receiving diphtheria toxoid.
I can't wait to read the next website!
Thanks, Wendy

This website was even better!
Tetanus is produced in animals by injecting them with samples of soil. I have a great idea I won't inject my newborn with soil of any kind and she should be safe.

The spores are widely distributed in soil and in the intestine and feces of horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, and chickens.  Manure-treated soil may contain large numbers of spores.  I won't let my newborn play with any barn yard animals either.

In agricultural areas, a significant number of human adults may harbor the organism.
The spores can also be found on skin surfaces and in contaminated heroin. This makes no sense. Are these adults dying from tetanus then or is there body just handling it? I will give my newborn no contaminated heroin.

There are no laboratory findings characteristic of tetanus.  The diagnosis is entirely clinical and does not depend upon bacteriologic confirmation.  C. tetani is recovered from the wound in only30% of cases, and can be isolated from patients who do not have tetanus.

Ummm so what are you saying here? You really have no clue but lets go ahead and inject 2 month old babies with a toxin and hope for the best?

This is because early doses of toxoid do not induce immunity, but only prime the immune system. 

Prime the immune system? What exactly does this mean? If you took a blood test it would say what? Primed immune system?

A marked decrease in mortality occurred from the early 1900s to the late 1940s.  In the late 1940s, tetanus toxoid was introduced into routine childhood immunization and tetanus became nationally notifiable.  At that time, there were 500-600 cases reported per year (approximately 0.4 cases per 100,000 population).
Is this before or after the vaccine?

From 1980 through 2000, 70% of reported cases of tetanus were among persons 40 years of age or older.
Then why on earth is this given to a 2 month old?

Severe systemic reactions such as generalized urticaria (hives), anaphylaxis, or neurologic complications have been reported after receipt of tetanus toxoid.  A few cases of peripheral neuropathy and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have been reported following tetanus toxoid administration.  Following a recent review, the Institute of Medicine concluded that the available evidence favors a causal relationship between tetanus toxoid and both brachial neuritis and GBS, although these reactions are very rare.
Sorry, this is not worth the risk.

No answer