Vaccination NewsLetter: Top Stories - May 19-25, 2003

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Note 1: If for any reason you end up in the "frames" version of the website, here's how to create a unique "url".  In Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape 7, in order to bookmark, forward or copy the direct link, right click on the link you are interested in and click on "open in new window".  The page will now open with the correct url.  (If someone knows how to do this in other editions of Netscape, please email me at sandym@touchngo.com and I will publish those directions as well.)

Note 2:  A sentence or two from each article will be included right after the link in quotes in many cases.

Note 3:  A short bio of Sandy Mintz is included in the Scandals column titled: The Homeland Security Act - The Aftermath.

Note 4:  My comments are in red.

Previous newsletters

Smallpox/smallpox vaccine

Smallpox vaccination theory based on politics - "As of May 9, according to the most recent figures compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Bush states (including Florida) had a combined vaccination rate of 18.2 per 100,000 people, while the Gore states (including the District of Columbia) stood at 6.8...The pattern is not uniform, but it is strong. Of the 15 states with the highest vaccination rates, Bush carried all but one, Minnesota. The states Bush carried by the biggest margins tend to have the highest rates; the ones that Gore won overwhelmingly have among the lowest."

Smallpox Immunity Lasts Decades, Study Shows

Finding could lead to smallpox treatment - "Scientists said Monday they have discovered how smallpox exerts its virulence, a finding that could lead to medications to fight off the deadly virus as well as treat side effects of the vaccine...Currently, there is no treatment for smallpox, which can be fatal in about a third of those infected by it, and the only way to prevent infection is with the vaccine that can cause severe reactions in some people, including death."

CDC: Case of Brain Swelling After Smallpox Shot

Bill backs workers who get vaccine - Senate proposal would OK sick leave for state employees' side effects (North Carolina)

Smallpox Vaccine Watched in Heart Inflammations

Lake County says smallpox vaccinations a waste of precious money

Frist bills/Eli Lilly et al protection/VICP  -  for more, click here

E-News: Senate Backs Away from Compensation Reforms (NVIC)

Other Bioterror-related

Radiation Sickness Drug Developed - Military Health Officials Hope Medicine Could Protect First Responders

Congress, industry dicker over new bioterror vaccine program

Smart bio-weapons are now possible

(More Homeland Security related articles posted starting on June 12, 2003)  http://www.vaccinationnews.com/HomelandSecurity.htm

Autism

An Autism Explosion? - "In California, the number of people diagnosed with full spectrum autism has increased by more than 600 percent over the last 15 years...Numbers like that have parents and researchers looking desperately for a cause -- even while they disagree over whether the autism explosion is real or simply a factor of better medical care."

Autism study prompts fears over mystery environmental factor  - "The latest study, by health authorities in California, shows that autism cases there have leapt by an "unprecedented" 97 per cent over the past four years, with 10,000 new cases emerging between December 1998 and December 2002...The findings are particularly significant because California has had a rigorous system of diagnosing autism cases. In Britain, claims that autism levels are also on the increase have been countered by arguments that this simply reflects a greater willingness among doctors to diagnose the condition."

Autism One Conference Proceedings  - periodically check for new listings

UR autism study focuses on diet

Big Rise In Va. Autism Cases Prompts Debate Over Causes

Autism/mercury

Autism/MMR

British public "duped" over MMR fears - "The British public has been "duped" by the media over claims that the combined mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine is unsafe, according to an analysis of news coverage of the controversy...During a period of extensive coverage in 2002, over half of the UK public believed that medical opinion was split down the middle over MMR's safety. In fact, the vast majority of doctors and researchers believe the vaccine is safe."

Concern over MMR safety study - A US study has re-ignited the debate about the safety of the MMR vaccine by suggesting it may raise the risk of neurological problems. - "Leading experts - who have repeatedly stressed the vaccine is safe - have expressed doubts about the validity of the study, claiming it is deeply flawed and that it appears in a journal not considered to be among the most prestigious in its field...But UK campaigners, who want single jabs for measles, mumps and rubella to be made widely available, say the latest research justifies their continuing belief that MMR is not safe."

MMR survey shows public doubts over safety linger - "More than half of the British public wrongly believes that medical science is split about the safety of the MMR vaccine, says a survey today...Although almost all scientific experts reject claims of a link between MMR and autism, 53 per cent of people assume that because both sides of the debate received equal media coverage, there must be equal evidence for both. Only a fifth are aware that the bulk of the evidence favours supporters of the vaccine." - Perhaps those who are merely interested in "bulk" evidence have been convinced of MMR safety;  those, however, who are more impressed with the quality of the evidence remain more circumspect.

Experts find new study by Geier & Geier on MMR and autism to be seriously flawed

Neurodevelopmental disorders after thimerosal-containing vaccines: a brief communication. - by Geier MR, MD, PhdD and Geier DA

The MMR vaccine and autism - "Claims that the MMR vaccine significantly increased the risk of developing serious neurological disorders were reported in four newspapers (1,3-5). However, the research study on which these claims were based had several flaws (6). Therefore the reliability of the reported relationship between MMR vaccination and neurological disorders such as autism should be questioned."

Mother denied choice of vaccine for baby - Mercury-free jab unavailable despite executive promise

Scientists call for single inoculation option as report links MMR to autism

MMR - risk of brain disorders? - "The MMR jab 'significantly' increases the risk of developing autism and other brain and nerve disorders, according to a study...U.S. experts say the vaccine may be a factor in up to 15 per cent of such conditions."

Drama at MMR research launch - "The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today ejected a press conference on a study that showed a link between the MMR jab and autism from its headquarters because it feared being seen as endorsing the findings...The American researchers were told to leave the RCN's head offices in central London when they arrived to set up their press conference early this morning."

MMR survey shows public doubts over safety linger

Media misled the public over the MMR vaccine

MMR kids 'five times more likely to develop autism'

Autism and vaccines

AIDS/AIDS vaccine

Discovery of immune group in Uganda raises Aids vaccine hopes

HIV's history traced - US virus arrived early and spread fast. - What's going to happen when all those people who have been vaccinated against "HIV" are then "HIV positive"?  How do you tell the difference between "good" HIV positive (i.e., protective antibodies created via vaccine) and "bad" HIV positive (i.e., alleged AIDS precursor)?

Alzheimer's disease/vaccine

More Evidence Alzheimer's Vaccine May One Day Work

Experiment finds hope in vaccine for Alzheimer's

Anthrax/anthrax vaccine/Gulf War Syndrome

Mandatory anthrax vaccine for troops challenged in court

Cancer/cancer vaccines

Chickenpox/chickenpox vaccine

“Shingles on the Rise, Experts Warn” - "The rise could be due to a number of factors, such as soaring stress levels and an aging population." - Or it could be due to the chickenpox vaccine.

New Chickenpox Vaccine Formulation Approved In Canada

Diphtheria/diphtheria vaccine

Adaptation of Bordetella pertussis to Vaccination: A Cause for Its Reemergence?

Whooping cough spreads; 4 infants now ‘gravely ill’

Flu/flu vaccine

Influenza vaccination and Guillain Barre syndrome small star, filled. - by Geier MR, MD, PhD, Geier DA, Zahalsky AC, PhD

Haemophilus Influenza Vaccine

Hepatitis A/hepatitis A vaccine

Merck sued by Fox journalist over faulty vaccine

Hepatitis B/hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis C

Lyme disease/lyme disease vaccine

Take the Offense Against Lyme Disease - Some tips to avoid the ticks that will feed on you

Looking for a Vaccine to Defang the Lyme Tick

Meningitis/meningitis vaccine

ECCMID: Meningitis Incidence Due to Penicillin G-resistant S. Pneumoniae : The Impact of Conjugate Vaccines and Antibiotic Policies

MMR/measles,mumps,rubella

Pediatric MMR Vaccination Safety - by Mark R. Geier, MD, PhD and David A. Geier

“Rubella Persists in France Despite Vaccine Available”

Pet vaccines

Pneumonia/prevnar

Polio/polio vaccine

Alarming rise in polio cases in India: UNICEF

Rabies/rabies vaccine

“Rabies” - "Researchers from India's University of Agricultural Sciences have developed an edible plant vaccine to protect against rabies.  The scientists have filed for approval with the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation to conduct animal tests of the vaccine, prior to starting human tests." (This is the entire article.)

RECALLS

SARS

No Cases of SARS Have Been Transmitted on Airlines Since March, W.H.O. Reports

China blames U.S. for SARS - Floats theory virus byproduct of bioweapon research

Many Beijing SARS cases can't be traced back - WHA told 60 to 80% of Beijing SARS cases can't be traced back and existing PCR diagnostic test of limited use

SARS: masking the real danger - "Face masks, more than anything else, could explain why severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) rampaged its way through the media and infected the public consciousness. The mass hysteria over this new disease is in flagrant contrast to the virus itself, says one virologist who describes it as a 'slow, plodding laggard with low infectiousness.'"

Find Animal Link for SARS Virus 

SARS Model Shows Virus Has Potential To Spread Widely In The Absence Of Effective Public Health Interventions

FDA safeguards blood supply from SARS - Though it's still unclear whether the disease is transmissible by blood, experts say donor protocols are appropriate.

SBS (Shaken Baby Syndrome)

West Nile virus/vaccine

Whooping cough/DPT vaccine

Other vaccines/screening

Scripps researchers create vaccine to combat nicotine

Vaccines in general

Vaccine in a Spore? Maybe Someday, Researchers Say

Health officials say many parents fail to get immunizations for toddlers

(Vaccine) additives & contaminants

Safety of Aluminum Added to Vaccines as a Vaccine Adjuvant - E-mail and references from Dr. Philip Rudnick Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Chemistry, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Vaccine testing

Adverse reactions/VAERS/VICP

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; List of Petitions Received

Alternative Treatments/prevention

Farm lifestyle linked to fewer allergies

Laughter at dinner cuts blood sugar in diabetics

Home Safe Home- Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Everyday Toxics and Harmful Household Products in the Home

Breastfeeding (vs. formula)

Baby formula linked to hypertension - Milk-based products lead to high blood pressure in adults

A dual long-term effect of breastfeeding on atopy in relation to heredity in children at 4 years of age - ????

"The Condition Our Condition Is In" (The State of Medicine)

Cases; Treating Symptoms and Missing Disease

Conflict of Interest

Death and Disease

Effectiveness/herd immunity

Adaptation of Bordetella pertussis to Vaccination: A Cause for Its Reemergence? (2001)

Ethics

Patient protection in trials questioned - Local hospitals part of disputed research

Health groups say most drugs not tested for use on children

Funding

Government/science/industry/medicine clearly run amok

Patient protection in trials questioned - Local hospitals part of disputed research - "In a classic medical experiment, some patients receive the therapy being tested while others, in the control group, get the current standard treatment. The control group allows researchers to make meaningful comparisons...But Drs. Charles Natanson and Peter Eichacker, the NIH scientists who have led the criticism of ARDSNet, charge in a letter in the March 1 edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine that during one study of 861 patients, control group subjects died at a significantly higher rate -- 40 percent -- than eligible patients who refused to participate, among whom the death rate was 31 percent. ARDSNet's leaders declined to discuss the letter."

“Rabies” - "Researchers from India's University of Agricultural Sciences have developed an edible plant vaccine to protect against rabies.  The scientists have filed for approval with the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation to conduct animal tests of the vaccine, prior to starting human tests." (This is the entire article.)

Testimony of Paul Bogart, Healthy Building Network - Before the Consumer Product Safety Commission - re: arsenic treated wood in playground equipment

Does acetaminophen treat fever in children? - "These findings indicate that there is a paucity of adequate research in this area and that treatment of fever with acetaminophen may or may not be effective for children. Although no significant evidence of harm exists from the short-term use of acetaminophen at doses of 8 to 15 mg/kg every 4 hours, the burden is on the medical community to prove that it is actually beneficial. More research is clearly indicated, and emergency physicians should exercise common sense in the use of acetaminophen, reserving it primarily for analgesia and discomfort." - The concerns about the validity of vaccine safety and efficacy research are apparently relevant to other  widely disseminated and accepted recommendations.

Leading Drugs for Psychosis Come Under New Scrutiny - "Researchers suggest that new generation of antipsychotic drugs, called atypicals, may not be as effective as first thought when they were introduced 14 years ago, and may have dangerous side effects.."

Researchers fear shortage of brain tissue - Concerns as inquiry confirms brains removed during postmortems were kept without family consent

Families on the Brink: The Impact of Ignoring Children With Serious Mental Illness - I have not read this, but wanted to make sure those who might be interested were aware of this.

House OKs Bill Blocking School-Ordered Drugs - good news and more on this: U.S. Moves to Ban Forced Medicating by Schools

FDA: Some Follow - Up Drug Studies Not Begun

Legal/legislation

Trial Lawyers Are Now Focusing On Lawsuits Against Drug Makers

Merck sued by Fox journalist over faulty vaccine

The Public's Health and the Law in the 21st Century - Second Annual Partnership Conference on Public Health - CDC

*Pending Immunization Legislation - bookmark this link

Parental/health rights/exemptions/mandatory/privacy/health freedom

Mother denied choice of vaccine for baby - Mercury-free jab unavailable despite executive promise

Mandatory anthrax vaccine for troops challenged in court

Pharmaceutical industry/pharmaceutical industry oversight

Trial Lawyers Are Now Focusing On Lawsuits Against Drug Makers

Leading Drugs for Psychosis Come Under New Scrutiny - "Researchers suggest that new generation of antipsychotic drugs, called atypicals, may not be as effective as first thought when they were introduced 14 years ago, and may have dangerous side effects.."

Stategic trends in the drug industry - For those that have the time (and that doesn't include me)....

2 Paths of Bayer Drug in 80's: Riskier One Steered Overseas

FDA: Some Follow - Up Drug Studies Not Begun

Drug company accused of breaking advertising regulations

Politics

Congress Is Leaving Children Behind - Parents and Children’s Concerns are Ignored

Research/publishing/funding/other research results

Health groups say most drugs not tested for use on children - In my opinion, this is a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

Drug Development: Clinical Trials - explanation of the process

OHSU scientists look for methods to improve vaccinations for smallpox and other infectious diseases - Currently some vaccines, including smallpox vaccine, cannot be used by millions of susceptible patients

New Breast Self-Exam Guidelines Stir Debate

Does acetaminophen treat fever in children? - "These findings indicate that there is a paucity of adequate research in this area and that treatment of fever with acetaminophen may or may not be effective for children. Although no significant evidence of harm exists from the short-term use of acetaminophen at doses of 8 to 15 mg/kg every 4 hours, the burden is on the medical community to prove that it is actually beneficial. More research is clearly indicated, and emergency physicians should exercise common sense in the use of acetaminophen, reserving it primarily for analgesia and discomfort." - The concerns about the validity of vaccine safety and efficacy research are apparently relevant to other  widely disseminated and accepted recommendations.

Hormones may give bone-building drug a boost - Can we believe this?  Or is it just another ill-conceived attempt to legitimize the uses of hormones?

Leading Drugs for Psychosis Come Under New Scrutiny - "Researchers suggest that new generation of antipsychotic drugs, called atypicals, may not be as effective as first thought when they were introduced 14 years ago, and may have dangerous side effects.."

Schools shouldering more research costs

Parents' attitudes to children's participation in randomized controlled trials

Scientist warns against cancer "breakthrough" hype

Hopeful movement: progress in spinal cord injury treatment - Advances in the understanding of nerve regeneration are leading to quality-of-life improvements but are also raising new issues for these patients' primary care physicians.

Hypertension standards reveal more patients at risk - New findings warn that blood pressure will inevitably reach the danger level unless patients lose weight, the salt shaker and sedentary habits. - Are there really more patients at risk?  Is this redefinition in the best interests of the population?  Will it merely mean more drug prescriptions (and no consequent health benefits)?

Letters From Parents &others

Miscellaneous

Genes Enable Bacteria to Gain Hold in the Mouth

Teflon pans can create a sticky situation when overheated

Newsletter Archives - use this link to access old newsletters, including those whose links may have changed