To activate and view hyperlinked references, please click once and then click any superscripted number below to access a hyperlinked reference, or scroll down to the bottom of the article to view all hyperlinked references.
As summer comes to an end, the drumbeat promoting back-to-school vaccinations grows louder and louder in America. Unlike children in Canada and the European Union,1 2 our children must get dozens of doses of vaccines or they can’t get a public school education.3
No Shots, No School, No Exceptions
Over the past century, denial of a public school education has been used like a club by public health and medical trade officials demanding that state legislators enact “No Shots, No School, No Exceptions” vaccine laws.4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 In 1914, children had to get one dose of smallpox vaccine to go to school.13 In 2014, children entering kindergarten must get a minimum of 29 doses of 9 vaccines.14 Babies enrolled in daycare get even more vaccines.15
Medical Exemptions Rarely Granted
Parents in 48 states can file a religious or personal belief vaccine exemption but some states make those exemptions very hard to get.16 A medical exemption is allowed in all states but doctors rarely grant them to children anymore because almost all medical reasons for delaying or withholding a vaccine have been eliminated.17 18 19
Government and medical trade officials have narrowed medical contraindications to vaccination after Congress shielded doctors and vaccine manufacturers from vaccine injury lawsuits.20 Today, even children with severely compromised immune systems are given most vaccines.21
Doctors Practicing Authoritarian Medicine
Now that everybody is a candidate for vaccination all the time, liability free doctors have been given a green light to practice authoritarian medicine.22 23 24 Distraught parents are contacting NVIC and telling us that pediatricians are dismissing their child’s vaccine reactions as unimportant and refusing to make a report to the federal vaccine adverse events reporting system. Mothers describe how pediatricians are screaming at them if they decline a vaccination or simply ask for fewer shots to be given to their child on the same day.25
Recently, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics26 proclaimed publicly that he is justified in getting angry at and discriminating against parents disobeying his orders to give their children every federally recommended vaccine on schedule27 which, by the way, means 49 doses of 14 vaccines between day of birth and age 6 with 20 more doses of vaccines by age 18.28
Calling those parents “a public health menace” and comparing them to “substance abusers,” he refuses to treat their children. He said – QUOTE - “That person is a danger, not only to themselves but is a danger to society, a danger to other children in my practice, a danger to old people, a danger to everyone.”29
Pediatricians Exempt from Vaccine Injury Lawsuits
It is sad and frightening when doctors demonize and threaten parents making thoughtful medical risk decisions for their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics knows that vaccines carry serious risks for some children because AAP leaders successfully lobbied Congress to be exempt from vaccine injury lawsuits.30 31
Some People More Susceptible to Vaccine Reactions
But even if $3 billion dollars in federal vaccine injury compensation had not already been awarded to vaccine victims in America,32 and even if the Institute of Medicine had not published a series of reports confirming that vaccines can cause injury and death,33 34 35 36 37 everybody knows that people do not all respond the same way to pharmaceutical products38 like vaccines.
Each one of us is born with unique genes and a unique microbiome39 influenced by epigenetics,40 which affects how we respond to the different environments we live in. Some of us are more susceptible to vaccine complications.41 42 Public health officials have known this for a long, long time.43 44
Learn How to Identify Vaccine Reactions
With so many pediatricians denying vaccine risks and failures, it is even more important for parents to do their own research. If your child is getting back-to-school shots, you should know how to identify symptoms of a vaccine reaction. Once your child has had a vaccine reaction, revaccination may cause a more serious reaction.45 Plus, you only have two years to file a claim in the federal vaccine injury compensation program after a vaccine-related death or three years after a vaccine injury.46 47
A few of the more serious vaccine reaction symptoms are:
- Convulsion or seizure symptoms include eyes fluttering and rolling back in the head; twitching, trembling, jerking, shaking or sudden rigidity of one or more parts of the body.53 54 55 56
- High Fever between 103 and 105 degrees F. or more.48 49
- High Pitched Screaming, also known as the encephalitic cry, is described as a shrill scream, shriek or wail that goes on for hours. Mothers often say they have never heard this type of crying before. Sometimes babies arch their backs while screaming, which can be a sign of brain inflammation.50
- Collapse/Shock. The child may be pale, have bluish lips and suddenly go limp and appear to be unconscious.51 52
- Excessive Sleepiness is when the child sleeps deeply without moving for hours after vaccination and does not respond to noise, touch or light and cannot be easily awakened to eat.57 58 59
- Brain Inflammation, also called encephalitis or acute encephalopathy,has been recognized as a very serious complication of vaccination since the first vaccine for smallpox. Symptoms can include convulsions, high-pitched screaming, collapse, and hours of unconsciousness.60 61 62 63 64 65 66
- Encephalopathy or chronic brain dysfunction can include physical and mental regression, dramatic personality and behavior changes, loss of muscle control, speech and other abilities, or the child may be unable to continue to meet developmental milestones.67 68 69 70 71
Vaccine Reactions May Take A Week or Longer to Appear
This is not a full list of vaccine reaction symptoms and there are other types of reactions affecting immune and brain function involving the skin,72 73 74 joints,75 76 blood77 78 and other parts of the body that can be warning signs a child may be sensitive to one or more vaccines. Some reactions develop within hours of vaccination while others, like convulsions following MMR vaccination, can take a week or more to appear.79
Review Vaccine Manufacturer Information & Vaccine Ingredients
Before vaccination, read the vaccine manufacturer’s product inserts so you are aware of the types of serious health problems reported in pre-licensure clinical trials and during post-marketing surveillance.80 Take a look at vaccine ingredients as well, because some children are allergic to antibiotics, gelatin, MSG, Thimerosal, yeast, egg protein and other vaccine ingredients.81 82
Vaccine Immunity Not Permanent: Pertussis Vaccine Failures
Parents also need to know that vaccine acquired immunity is not permanent and fully vaccinated children can still get and transmit infectious diseases.83 Vaccine failures and waning immunity is a real problem for vaccines like B. pertussis,84 85 also known as whooping cough. The FDA reported last year that vaccinated persons still can be infected with and transmit pertussis, sometimes without even showing any symptoms.86 The majority of children in many pertussis outbreaks have been vaccinated.87 88
Learn Symptoms of Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Signs of B. pertussis whooping cough range from a low fever, loss of appetite and a mild cough to violent paroxysmal coughing with choking and vomiting of large amounts of sticky mucus for many weeks.89 Small infants can suffer brain damage or die from pertussis if they cannot clear mucus clogging their airways.90
Understanding vaccine risks and failures is a vital part of conscious parenting today.
Ask 8 Questions Before Vaccination
At NVIC.org:
- You can find well-referenced information about vaccines and diseases, including vaccine manufacturer product inserts, and a brochure that lists 8 questions you should ask yourself before your child is vaccinated;
- You can review vaccine reaction reports made to the federal vaccine adverse events reporting system.
- You can read testimonials on the Cry for Vaccine Freedom Wall by Americans describing how they are being persecuted when they try to make informed, voluntary decisions about vaccination for themselves and their children.
- You can signup for the free online NVIC Advocacy Portal and work to secure informed consent protections in your state’s vaccine laws.
It is really important to find an intelligent, enlightened doctor you can trust, who treats you with respect and your child with compassion. Plan to spend at least as much time empowering yourself with information and carefully thinking about vaccines and diseases as you do when you buy a new car or a new home.
It’s your health. Your family. Your choice.
References:
1 Vaccination Risk Awareness Network (VRAN). Exemptions from vaccination (Canada). 2014.
2 Haverkate M., D’Ancona F, Giambi C et al. Mandatory and Recommended Vaccination in the EU, Iceland and Norway: Results of the VENICE 2010 Survey on the Ways of Implementing National Vaccination Programmes. Euro Surveill 2012; 17(22).
3 Immunization Action Coalition (IAC). State mandates on immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases. July 29, 2014.
4 Orenstein WA, Hinman AR. The immunization system in the United States – the role of school immunization laws. Vaccine 1999; 17 (Suppl 3): 19-24.
5 Hinman AR, Orenstein WA Schuchat A. Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Immunization and MMWR 1961-2011. MMWR 2011; 60(04): 49-57.
6 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Rejects ‘Personal Belief’ Immunization Exemptions. AAFP News May 4, 2011.
7 Fisher BL. Americans Fight for Vaccine Choices: Philosophical Exemption to Vaccination Saved in Vermont. NVIC Newsletter May 14, 2012.
8 Fisher BL. Turning Vaccine Exemptions Into Class Warfare. NVIC Newsletter Sept. 14, 2012.
9 Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Immunization Resource Guide. 2013.
10 Association of Immunization Managers (AIM). Position Statement on Personal Belief Exemptions from State Vaccination Mandates.Jan. 21, 2014.
11 American Academy of Pediatrics. State Advocacy Focus Childhood Immunizations. AAP Position. April 2014.
12 NVIC. Colorado Hearing on House Bill 1288 to Restrict Personal Belief Exemption to Vaccination. NVIC Newsletter May 20, 2014.
13 Jackson CL. State Laws on Compulsory Immunization in the United States. Public Health Reports 1969; 84(9): 77-795.
14 Immunization Action Coalition (IAC). State mandates on immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases. (State vaccine mandates for kindergarten: Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella Zoster vaccines). July 29, 2014.
15 Immunization Action Coalition (IAC). State mandates on immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases. (State vaccine mandates for childcare: Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella Zoster, HIB, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal, Hepatitis A vaccines). July 29, 2014.
16 NVIC. State Law and Vaccine Requirements: State Vaccine Exemptions. NVIC.org August 2014.
17 Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Vaccines and Immunizations: Chart of Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines. July 7, 2014.
18 CDC. Conditions Commonly Misperceived as Contraindications to Vaccination. July 7, 2014.
19 Stadlin S, Bednarczyk RA, Omer SB. Medical Exemptions to School Immunization Requirements in the United States – Association of State Policies with Medical Exemption Rates (2004-2011). J Infect Dis Aug. 29, 2012.
20 Fisher BL. Find a Compassionate Doctor to Help You Prevent Vaccine Injuries. NVIC Newsletter Aug. 26, 2012.
21 Rubin LG, Levin MJ, Ljungman P et al. 2013 IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America) Guidelines for Vaccination of Immunocompromised Host. Clin Infect Dis 2013.
22 Frosch DL, May SG, Rendle KAS et al. Authoritarian Physicians and Patients’ Fear of Being Labeled “Difficult” Among Key Obstacles to Shared Decision Making. Health Affairs August 2014; 33(8): 1030-1038.
23 Pestell R, Ball JRB. Authoritarianism Among Medicine and Law Students. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 1991; 25(2): 265-269.
24 The Free Dictionary. Definition of the Authoritarian Personality: A personality pattern reflecting a desire for security, order, power and status, with a desire for structured lines of authority, a conventional set of values or outlook, a demand for unquestioning obedience and a tendency to be hostile toward or use as scapegoats individuals of minority or nontraditional groups. American Heritage Medical Dictionary 2007.
25 NVIC.org. Cry for Vaccine Freedom Wall.
26 HG.org. Hershel R. Lessin, M.D., Pediatric Medical Malpractice Expert Witness. HG.org Legal Resources. Accessed Aug. 8, 2014.
27 Gupta S. Harsh Treatment for Vaccine Refusers. Everyday Health July 28, 2014.
29 Gupta S. Harsh Treatment for Vaccine Refusers. Everyday Health July 28, 2014
30 Institute of Medicine. The Children’s Vaccine Initiative: Achieving the Vision. National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: Background and Filing A Claim Under NVICP (Pg. 160-161). National Academies Press 1993.
31 Holland M. Reconsidering Compulsory Childhood Vaccination. The 1986 Law (Pg. 21-22). NewYork University Public Law and Legislative Theory Working Papers 2010. Paper 226.
32 Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Statistics Report – July 1, 2014.
33 Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Committee.Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC. The National Academies Press 1991.
34 Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Committee. Adverse Events Association with Childhood Vaccines: Evidence Bearing on Causality. Neurologic Disorders. Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press 1994.
35 Institute of Medicine. DPT Vaccine and Chronic Nervous System Dysfunction: A New Analysis. Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press 1994.
36 Institute of Medicine Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press 2012.
37 Institute of Medicine Committee on the Assessment of Studies of Health Outcomes Related to the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule. The Childhood Immunization Schedule and Safety: Stakeholder Concerns, Scientific Evidence and Future Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press 2013.
38 Huang SM, Temple R. Is This the Drug or Dose for You? Impact and Considerations of Ethnic Factors in Global Drug Development, Regulatory Review and Clinical Practice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2008; 84(3): 287-294.
39 The Human Microbiome Project Consortium. Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome.Nature 2012; 486: 207-214.
40 Baqureo F. Epigenetics, epistasis and epidemics. Evolution, Medicine and Public Health 2013; 1: 86-88.
41 Kulenkampff M, Schwartzman JS, Wilson J. Neurological complications of Pertussis Vaccination.Arch Dis Child 1974; 46-49.
42 Institute of Medicine Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Evaluating Biological Mechanisms of Adverse Events: Increased Susceptibility. Chapter 3: Page 82. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press 2012.
43 Stetler HC, Orenstein WA. History of Convulsions and Use of Pertussis Vaccine. J Pediatr 1985; 107(2): 175-179.
44 Weibel RE, Caserta V, Benor DE, Evans G. Acute Encephalopathy Followed by Permanent Brain Injury or Death Associated with Further Attenuated Measles Vaccines: A Review of Cases Submitted to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Pediatrics 1998; 101(3): 383-387.
45 CDC. General Recommendations on Immunization. Contraindications and Precautions to Vaccination. The Pink Book: Course Textbook – 12th Edition, Second Printing May 2012.
46 HRSA. National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Frequently Asked Questions: What are the filing deadlines for claims filed with the VICP?
47 Pertnoy LD. A Child’s View of Recovery Under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act or “He Who Hesitates Is Lost.” Montana Law Review 1998; 59(2).
48 Schmitt BD. Immunization Reactions. Fever. Children’s Health Network June 3, 2013.
49 National Institutes of Health (NIH). Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine. What Are the Risks for DTaP Vaccine? Medline Plus May 15, 2014
50 Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Committee. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Evidence Concerning Pertussis Vaccines and Other Illnesses and Conditions: Protracted Inconsolable Crying and Screaming (Pg. 165-169). Washington, DC. The National Academies Press 1991.
51 Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Committee. Adverse Effects of Pertusses and Rubella Vaccines. Evidence Concerning Pertussis Vaccines and Other Illnesses and Conditions: Shock and “Unusual Shock-Like State” with Hypotonicity, Hyporesponsiveness and Short-Lived Convulsions, Usually Febrile (Pg. 171-177). Washington, DC. The National Academies Press 1991.
52 Braun MM, Terracciano G, Salive ME et al. Report of a U.S. Public Health Service Workshop on Hypotonic-Hyporesponsive Episodes (HHE) After Pertussis Immunization. Pediatrics 1998; 102(5).
53 Schackler SC, Shafer PO, Sirven JI. What Happens During a Seizure? Epilepsy Foundation March 2014.
54 Jones T, Jacobsen SJ. Childhood Febrile Seizures: Overview and Implications. Int J Med Sci 2007; 4(2): 110-114.
55 LaRoche SM. Seizures and Encephalopathy. Semin Neurol 2011; 31(19): 194-201.
56 Institute of Medicine Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Adverse Events and Causality Conclusions in the Vaccine Chapters: Febrile and Afebrile Seizures (MMR, Varicella, Influenza, Hepatitis B, DTaP). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press 2012.
57 The Free Dictionary. Definition of Somnolence: A state of drowsiness, sleepiness; a condition of semiconsciousness approaching coma. American Heritage Medical Dictionary 2007. Definition of Stupor: A state of impaired consciousness in which the person shows a marked reduction in reactivity to environmental stimuli, only continual stimulation arouses in the person. Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary 2012
58 Menkes, JH, Kinsbourne M. Workshop on Neurologic Complications of Pertussis and Pertussis Vaccination. Neuropediatrics 1990; 21(4): 171-176.
59 NIH. Encephalitis: Symptoms (Infants) and Emergency Symptoms. Medline Plus Aug. 1, 2012.
60 Booss J, Davis LE. Smallpox and Smallpox Vaccination. Neurology 2003; 60(8): 1241-1265.
61 Huynh W, Cordato DJ, Kehdi E et al. Post-vaccination encephalomyelitis: Literature review and illustrative case. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 2008; 15: 1315-1322.
62 HealthGrades. What Are Symptoms of Encephalitis? and What are Causes of Encephalitis? Aug. 9, 2013.
63 Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Committee. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Evidence Concerning Pertussis Vaccines and Encephalopathy (P. 86-118). Washington, DC. The National Academies Press 1991.
64 Pellegrino P, Carnovale C, Perrone V et al. Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Onset: Evaluation Based on Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System. PLOS One Oct. 18, 2013.
65 National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). What Is Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis? Feb. 14, 2014.
66 Institute of Medicine Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Adverse Events and Causality Conclusions in the Vaccine Chapters: Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (MMR, Varicella, Influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV, DTaP, meningococcal vaccines) Washington, DC: The National Academies Press 2012.
67 The Free Dictionary. Definition of Encephalopathy: Degeneration of brain function, caused by any of various acquired disorders, including metabolic disease, organ failure, inflammation, and chronic infection. American Heritage Medical Dictionary 2007.
68 Institute of Medicine. DPT Vaccine and Chronic Nervous System Dysfunction: A New Analysis. Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press 1994.
69 Weibel RE, Caserta V, Benor DE, Evans G. Acute Encephalopathy Followed by Permanent Brain Injury or Death Associated with Further Attenuated Measles Vaccines: A Review of Cases Submitted to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Pediatrics 1998; 101(3): 383-387.
70 Banwell B, Narula S, Roos RP. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Medlink Neurology May 8, 1995 (last updated July 17, 2013).
71 Institute of Medicine Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Adverse Events and Causality Conclusions in the Vaccine Chapters: Encephalopathy. (MMR, Varicella, Influenza, hepatitis B, DTaP/DT, meningococcal vaccines). Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press 2012.
72 Gherardi RK, Coquet M, Cherin L et al. Macrophagic myofasciitis lesions assess long-term persistence of vaccine-derived aluminum hydroxide in muscle. Brain 2001; 124(9): 1821-1831.
73 Lapphra K, Scheifele D. Vaccination site reaction or bacterial cellulitis? Paediatr Child Health 2009; 14(4): 245.
74 Lamoreuz MR, Sternbach MR, Hsu WT. Erythema Multiforme. American Family Physician 2006; 74(11): 1883-1886.
75 Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Committee. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Summary of Conclusions by Adverse Event for RA27/3 MMR Vaccines: Acute and Chronic Arthritis. Washington, DC. The National Academies Press 1991.
76 Institute of Medicine Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Causality Conclusions Organized by Chapter and Adverse Event: Transient Arthralgia, Transient and Chronic Arthralgia, Psoriatric Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Arthropathy (MMR, hepatitis B, HPV, varicella zoster, influenza, and DTaP/DT vaccines). Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press 2012.
77 France EK, Glanz J, Xu et al. Risk of immune thrombocytopenia purpura after measles-mumps-rubella immunization in children. Pediatrics 2008; 121(3).
78 Hsieh YL, Lin LH. Thrombocytopenic Purpura Following Vaccination in Early Childhood: Experience of a Medical Center in Past 2 Decades. J Chin Med Assoc 2010; 73(12): 634-637.
79 Weibel RE, Caserta V, Benor DE, Evans G. Acute Encephalopathy Followed by Permanent Brain Injury or Death Associated with Further Attenuated Measles Vaccines: A Review of Cases Submitted to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Pediatrics 1998; 101(3): 383-387.
81 CDC. Vaccine Excipient and Media Summary. September 2013.
82 NVIC.org. Vaccine Ingredient Calculator.
83 Raimundo SM, Yang HM, Engel AB. Modelling the effects of temporary immune protection and vaccination against infectious diseases. Applied Mathematics and Computation 2007; 189: 1723-1736.
85 Wendelboe AM, Annelies VR et al. Duration of Immunity Against Pertussis After Natural Infection or Vaccination. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2005; 24(5): S58-S61.
86 Food and Drug Administration. FDA Study Helps Provide An Understanding of Rising Rates of Whooping Cough and Response to Vaccination. FDA Press Release: Nov. 27, 2013.
87 Witt MA, Katz PH, Witt DJ. Unexpectedly Limited Durability of Immunity Following Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in Pre-Adolescents in A North American Outbreak. Clin Infect Dis 2012; 54(12): 1730-1735.
88 CDC. Pertussis Epidemic – Washington, 2012. MMWR July 20, 2012; 6(28): 517-522.
89 CDC. Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Signs & Symptoms. May 22, 2014.
90 CDC. Pertussis Complications. Aug. 28, 2013.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with an *