Vaccination plan disputed

 
LOADING
Mar 28, 2008 - 04:05:04 CDT
As a retired pediatrician and former state health officer, I wish to respond to the guest column by Dr. Edward Fogarty, "A proposal on vaccinations."

I regret the fact that Fogarty has a child with autism, a disorder that produces a terrible stress on families.

I do not agree, however, that the recent Hanna Poling case established a causal link between vaccinations and autism. I believe that the fact that Hanna has a genetic "mitochondrial disorder" helps confirm that genetic factors do play a role in at least some children with autism.

The Simpsonwood Transcript referred to in the column resulted from a meeting of scientists in June 2000 to review data regarding a possible role of the mercury containing preservative Thimeorsal in some vaccines and possible adverse effects in children. No causal effect of Thimerosal in regard to autism has been widely accepted, but a decision to no longer use the preservative in vaccines was a wise one.

One of the reasons for using "booster" doses of vaccines is to take advantage of a memory feature of the immune system known as an "anamnestic response," in which repeated doses of a vaccine push antibody levels up to where they last for years. I am not sure how Fogarty proposes to use the antibody titers, as a titer showing adequate immunity at a particular point in time may later fall to less than adequate levels.

Despite Fogarty's negative view of the federal government and pharmaceutical industry, the State Health Department and many physicians who administer vaccines depend upon the American Committee on Immunization Practices and the Centers for Disease Control to develop science-based guidelines for vaccine administration.
   Printer friendly version
Vaccination plan disputed
Comments

Schedule Change? wrote on Mar 29, 2008 4:44 PM:

" Breaking news from Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/prnewswire/feeds/prnewswire/2008/03/28/prnewswire200803281340PR_NEWS_USPR_____DC17885.html

From the above:
"The CDC is aware of this situation and is immediately taking measures to address the current national vaccine schedule."

"

Terramuggus wrote on Mar 29, 2008 10:26 AM:

" There's only one way to put the thimerosal/vaccine/autism question to rest - conduct a proper Vaccinated versus Never Vaccinated study, free of industry, medical & CDC/NIH interference, and completely independent of potential conflicts. Such a study will definitely show a connection to autism from vaccines, as well as a host of other neuroinflamatory and autoimmune disorders, including AD(H)D, anxiety, depression, bipolar, as well as physical maladies like asthma and diabetes. The most shocking findings will be of the differences in intellectual/cognitive abilities between the groups, but most especially in the seemingly "normal" looking vaccinated kids, who seem to be doing well, over all. The Never Vaccinated group will show a statistically, and likely very significant, higher average IQ score.

This study will eventually get done, and when it does, the criminals who've been victimizing American citizens these past several decades will hopefully be brought to justice. "

Ted Fogarty, MD wrote on Mar 28, 2008 4:37 PM:

" Dr. Wentz and others with scientific/medical backgrounds;

Please take a moment to review the paper listed below. This is a recent development in the understanding of vaccine efficacy and titer decay rates. We need to question old assumptions on the basis of new information in molecular medicine. This paper indicates antibodies generated by vaccines in the 1960's last beyond the life of the patients in the study population except for some specific series such as tetanus. We are simply doing this too crudely for the the rest of the 21st century, time to improve things as the improvements will bring back vaccine confidence after the 9 cases that have been linked to autism by the Federal Vaccine Court.

1: N Engl J Med. 2007 Nov 8;357(19):1903-15.
Duration of humoral immunity to common viral and vaccine antigens.
Amanna IJ, Carlson NE, Slifka MK.
Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University,
Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.

Actually, the real rate of mitochondrial disorders that are "asymptomatic" is yet to be well defined in the US population. Once it is, we may be in for a surprise in regards to the Poling case implications.

"

Kerry wrote on Mar 28, 2008 3:19 PM:

" The following symptoms are used to diagnose what disorder?

Symptoms: seizures, loss of skills, gi tract problems,
developmental delay, neuropathy, muscle weakness, endocrine dysruption,
hearing and vision problems.

a) Autism
b) PDD-NOS
c) Asperger's syndrome
d) Mitochondrial disease criteria, diagnostic applications in children

answer: d

source: Neurology 2006;67:1823-1826
"

Linda Weinmaster wrote on Mar 28, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Dr. Wentz,

You are ignoring the facts of Dr. Fogarty’s guest article. The epidemic of autism and other childhood illness and disorders have transpired under the leadership of the AAP, CDC and FDA. If they had not been so beholden to industry this tragedy would not have happened. Autism is directly related to vaccines. We need leadership and proactive thinking like Dr. Fogarty has displayed with his ideas for titers, and identifications of susceptible populations. We must learn from past medial errors and identify the genetically susceptible population that does not excrete heavy metals before we begin vaccinations. I have a vaccine injured 16 year old son with confirmed mercury poisoning from RhoGAM at 28 weeks gestation and his childhood vaccines. I also have 2 typical older boys who were not exposed to thimerosal in utero via RhoGAM and the 300% increase in Thimerosal containing vaccines with the addition of the HIB and Hepatitis B vaccines in 1991. After a thorough genetic study it was determined that the entire family has 2 identical snips that increase the difficulty to eliminate heavy metals. Unfortunately, testing was done after my son was poisoned. Thimerosal has never been safety tested. Independent studies, dating back to 1942, show thimerosal disrupts and damages mitochondria at a 4-5 nano molars. Instead of embracing the fact that a minority of the population can not handle vaccines you defend the status quo and embrace repeated injection of toxins into infants. What happened to “First do no Harm?” "

Socks wrote on Mar 28, 2008 10:53 AM:

" Thanks Mamamia - I'll have to check that book out. "

Minot wrote on Mar 28, 2008 10:39 AM:

" I thank Dr. Wentz for these lucid comments. The University should be embarrassed that Dr. Fogarty espouses such anti-scientific views about lifesaving vaccines. "

MamaMia wrote on Mar 28, 2008 9:42 AM:

" Socks: It's a great book, too -- easy read -- a real page turner called "Race Against Time". "

Mike wrote on Mar 28, 2008 8:56 AM:

" Within 24 hours after the Poling case became news, an article was published on the internet which helps physicians indentify people with mitochondrial dysfuntion. Low and behold, half the symptoms listed were those associated with autism (seizures, loss of skills, gi tract problems,neuopathy, developmental delay, etc.) It appears that they may be the same thing. Here's a mathematical fact that cannot be spun:

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/regs.htm#hazwaste

50,000 parts per billion (ppb) mercury = Concentration of mercury in multi-dose DTP and Haemophilus B vaccine vials, administered 4 times each in the 1990's to children at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age. Current "preservative" level mercury in multi-dose flu (94% of supply), meningococcal and tetanus (7 and older) vaccines. This can be confirmed by simply analyzing the multi-dose vials

"

Socks wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:50 AM:

" There was a show last night, where in the early 1900's, Nome Alaska was begging for the Dipitheria vaccine. People were dying left and right and thought they would be wiped out. They had sled dogs and people risk there lives in sub zero temps to get them the vaccines. "

Post Your Own Comment
(optional)
   
All online comments are limited to 350 words total.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.

Copyright © 2009 Bismarck Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises.  -PRIVACY POLICY