The Anti-Vaccine Movement: A Deadly Manufactroversy By Harriet Hall, MD The SkepDoc Whooping Cough Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZV 4IAHbC48&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuv n-vp5InE&feature=related The last person on Earth to catch Smallpox Ali Maow Maalin 26 October 1977 Somalia Variola virus: Smallpox Mortality Rate: ~30% Estimated deaths: 300,000,000 Ramses V Vaccine Preventable Diseases: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Anthrax Cervical Cancer Diphtheria Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Haemophilus influenza type b Human Papillomavirus Influenza Japanese Encephalitis Lyme Disease Measles Meningococcal infection Monkeypox Mumps • • • • • • • • • • • • • Pertussis Pneumococcal disease Poliomyelitis Rabies Rotavirus Rubella Shingles Smallpox Tetanus Tuberculosis Typhoid Fever Varicella Yellow Fever 1,113,009 vs. 11,539 How Did We Go From: Vaccines are Good Vaccines are the greatest triumph of scientific medicine and have saved more lives than any other intervention to Vaccines are Bad They cause autism and kill children They Created a Bogeyman Andrew Wakefield His Subjects: •Lancet article 1998 found bowel disease in autistic children whose autism started right after they got MMR. 12 children with diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and food intolerance Developmental disorder, 10 probably autistic. 8 linked to MMR by parents or doctors No controls His Findings: Abnormal biopsies of bowel. What the Paper Said • “We did not prove an association between measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and the syndrome described.” What the ____? • Although the paper stressed no causal connection had been proven, Wakefield called a press conference saying that the MMR vaccine probably caused autism and calling for the suspension of the triple MMR vaccine. His Thinking • Measles virus damages bowel wall • Bowel leaks some unidentified protein • Protein goes to brain and somehow causes autism • Solution: give measles separately, not as MMR. WHY? Why Single Vaccines? • No rationale, no evidence, just a hunch • “Single vaccines, spaced a year apart, clearly expose children to greater risk of infection, as well as additional distress and expense, and no evidence had been produced upon which to adopt such a policy.” • PS. Wakefield had filed a patent for a single measles vaccine The Consequences • Vaccination rates fell from 93% to 75% and as low as 50% in London. • Confirmed cases of measles in England and Wales rose: – 56 in 1998 – 1348 in 2008, with two child fatalities. • One hospital in Dublin: 100 children admitted for measles complications, 3 died. • Fourteen years after measles had been declared under control in the U.K., it was in 2008 declared endemic again Study Retracted • 10 of the 12 co-authors issued a retraction • The Lancet retracted the paper • The Lancet removed it from the published record. – Conflict of interest not reported – Unethical practices – Data falsified Investigations • 2001 – Royal Free Hospital asked Wakefield to resign • 2003 - Award-winning British investigative reporter Brian Deer launched a devastating investigation • 2005 – General Medical Council charged Wakefield with several counts of professional misconduct • 2010 – Wakefield lost his license Wakefield Hired by Lawyer • A lawyer was representing several families with autistic children. • He hired Wakefield to do research to provide ammunition for a class action suit against MMR manufacturers. • The children of the lawyer’s clients were referred to Wakefield for the study. – More than half of the autistic subjects in the study were lawyer’s clients Failure to Disclose Source of Funding • Lawyer paid Wakefield nearly half a million pounds plus expenses. • Payments were concealed by billing through a company of Wakefield’s wife. • He initially denied being paid at all. • Brian Deer proved that he was paid. • Even after he admitted it, he lied about the amount paid. Dangerous Tests; No Approval • The General Medical Council accused him of ordering invasive and potentially harmful studies (colonoscopies and spinal taps) contrary to the children's clinical interests, when these diagnostic tests were not indicated by the children's symptoms or medical history. • One child suffered multiple bowel perforations during the colonoscopy. Several had complications of anesthesia. Children were subjected to sedation for other nonindicated tests like MRIs. • The study had supposedly been approved by the hospital’s ethics committee. It had not. When confronted, Wakefield first claimed that it was approved, then claimed he didn’t need approval Conflict of Interest • Before the study was published, Wakefield had filed patents for his own separate measles vaccine, as well as other autismrelated products. • He stood to make a lot of money if MMR vaccines could be linked to autism. • He failed to disclose this serious conflict of interest. Paying for Blood Samples • Wakefield bought blood samples for his research from young children (age 4 and up) attending his son's birthday party. He callously joked in public about them crying, fainting and vomiting. He paid the kids £5 each. Did MMR Leave Measles RNA in Bowel? Wakefield’s own lab found it. Unigenetics Lab found it. Other labs couldn’t find it. But Wakefield’s Lab DIDN’T Really Find It • Chadwick testified that he personally did the PCR tests in Wakefield’s lab on intestinal biopsy and spinal fluid. • All tests were negative • Dr. Wakefield knew tests were negative, but published a paper saying they were positive. • Chadwick asked that his name not appear on the paper And Unigenetics Didn’t Really Find It • Funded by the lawyer who funded Wakefield. • Found measles RNA with a test that should only detect DNA. • Didn’t use proper controls • Lab was contaminated with DNA from adjoining Plasmid Room. • Lab was never accredited • Test: It couldn’t tell which coded samples contained measles virus. • Investigator said “I do not believe that there is any measles virus in any of the cases they have looked at.” • It is no longer in business New Allegations – Errors and Falsification of Data • Review of medical records showed most subjects had signs of autism before MMR. • Biopsy reports were originally read as normal, then reviewed and declared abnormal for the published study. Wakefield’s Study Now Entirely Discredited • Attempts to replicate his study all failed. • Other studies showed – Detection of measles virus no greater in autistics. – Rate of intestinal disease no greater in autistics. – No correlation between MMR and autism onset – No correlation between MMR and autism period. It Was All a Mistake • Fraudulent study • Autism didn’t start after MMR • No measles in biopsy samples • Wakefield’s study didn’t show any connection between MMR and autism, but was used to deny children MMR. Measles Outbreaks in England & Wales MMWR, 2008 The Role of the Media • MMR was big story in UK • Was not reported in France: – What do you mean? – Everyone knows MMR is safe – But Hepatitis B vaccine causes MS The Thimerosal Fiasco • Vaccine preservative thimerosal contained mercury as ethylmercury • Methylmercury caused Minamata disaster • Ethylmercury much less toxic, excreted faster • EPA methylmercury guidelines based on fetus • No EPA guidelines for ethylmercury. Thimerosal is Safe • Thimerosal preservative to permit multidose vials • Tested for safety before use • Harmless in animals at high doses • 1929 Indiana meningitis outbreak – adults injected with 2 million mcg didn’t develop any symptoms of mercury poisoning. – Total amount in all children’s vaccines: 187.5 mcg. – Over 10,000 times as much wasn’t harmful. WHO Says: “The theoretical risk from exposure to thimerosal has to be balanced against the known high risk of having no preservative in vaccines. Therefore, WHO,UNICEF, the European Agency for Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA), and other key agencies continue to recommend the use of vaccines containing this preservative because of the proven benefit of vaccines in preventing death and disease and the lack of data indicating harm.” Neil Halsey Got Thimerosal Banned in the US • Wasn’t thinking of autism • Concerned about the possibility of subtle neurologic effects of methyl mercury • No evidence of harm from ethyl mercury or vaccines • Invoked precautionary principle • Railroaded committee Wording Confused Public “Current levels of thimerosal will not hurt children, but reducing those levels will make safe vaccines even safer.” ? ? ? First Do No Harm • Precautionary principle assumes that there is no harm in exercising caution • The alarm caused by the removal of thimerosal from vaccines was quite harmful. • Hospitals suspended use of the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns because a thimerosalfree vaccine was not yet available. • At least one child died of overwhelming hepatitis B infection that would have been prevented with the vaccine. US Removed Thimerosal • Absent from all US vaccines since 2002 except for negligible amount in flu vaccine • If thimerosal caused autism, rates should have dropped by now. • They have risen. Jenny McCarthy’s Wisdom, part 1 • Indigo mother, Crystal child • Indigos are “difficult” children who are alleged to possess special traits or abilities such as telepathy, empathy, and creativity, and are said to represent the next stage in human evolution. • Crystal children represent an even more advanced evolutionary step. They are “so sensitive, so vulnerable to the world around them, that they go inward, disconnect as best they can from even humans and do their best to survive in a world where they really don't yet fit.” . Jenny McCarthy’s Wisdom, part 2 • Evan is autistic because of vaccines • Mommy instincts • “My science is Evan, and he’s at home. That’s my science.” • Grandma disagrees Jenny is Willing to Let Children Die • I do believe sadly it's going to take some diseases coming back to realize that we need to change and develop vaccines that are safe. If the vaccine companies are not listening to us, it's their f___ing fault that the diseases are coming back. They're making a product that's s___. If you give us a safe vaccine, we'll use it. It shouldn't be polio versus autism.” - Jenny McCarthy in Time Magazine, April 2009 That Kind of Expert • Puppet Stephen Colbert on Jenny McCarthy: "Now sure, she's not the kind of expert who relies on facts and figures....She knows what she feels is true. She's that kind of expert.” “Listen to the Parents” • Scientists DID “listen to the parents” • Appropriate studies were done • The answer is in: – 10 studies show MMR doesn’t cause autism – 6 studies show thimerosal doesn’t cause autism – 3 studies show thimerosal doesn’t cause subtle neurological problems IOM Immunization Safety Review on Vaccine and Autism “…the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism…the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.” Anti-Vaccine Activists and Nasty Behavior • Emotional appeals • Shouting down opponents • Repeating lies even after being corrected • Hateful language • Death threats Incredible Nastiness • Meryl Dorey “Court ordered vaccination constitutes child rape. This is assault without consent and with full penetration too.” More Nastiness Jenny McCarthy Body Count Bogus Treatments for Autism • Kids are still being treated with chelation to remove mercury • Secretin • Lupron for testosterone • Diets • Hyperbaric chambers • Supplements galore • Cranial manipulation • Facilitated communication • DAN! • Intravenous hydrogen peroxide Geier and Geier • Mercury causes autism. • Autistic children have high levels of testosterone • Autistic children undergo premature puberty • Testosterone binds to mercury, forming sheets in the brain • This prevents mercury from being excreted even with chelation • So let’s castrate the kids! Geier Loses License May 2011 • • • • • • • • “Misdiagnosed autistic children with precocious puberty and other genetic abnormalities and treated them with potent hormone therapy (“Lupron Therapy” or “Lupron Protocol”), and in some instances, chelation therapy, both of which have a substantial risk of both short-term and long-term adverse side effects. The Respondent’s treatment exposed the children to needless risk of harm.” Misrepresented his credentials (as both being a geneticist and epidemiologist) Ordered “extensive and expensive” batteries of tests that were outside the standard of care Failed to properly examine patients (even ordered Lupron therapy based solely on a phone conversation and selected lab tests). Failed to provide adequate informed consent Used therapies not based on evidence and not supported by the medical community Used an IRB (Institution Review Board) that failed to meet state and federal guidelines Exploited patients and parents. Emergency action – even required to surrender all his prescription pads. • • Son prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license. • Still licensed in our state – clinic in Redmond is still castrating children. The Real Losers • Parents and children wasting time and money on dangerous or useless treatments. • Research into real causes of autism • Effective behavioral treatments • Labeling and stigmatizing autistic kids What Are the Actual Risks of Vaccines? VAERS Reports of Vaccine Deaths • Deaths after vaccines have been reported to VAERS, but only a tiny few are believed to be even possibly associated with a vaccine. • 13 reported deaths after flu vaccine – 9 had severe underlying disease – 1 died in a car accident – None caused by vaccine • VAERS accepts all reports, even Incredible Hulk spoof. Disease Risks vs Vaccine Risks • Measles – Pneumonia: 6 in 100 – Encephalitis: 1 in 1,000 – Death: 2 in 1,000 • Rubella – Congenital Rubella Syndrome: 1 in 4 (if woman becomes infected early in pregnancy) ----------------------------------------------------------• MMR Vaccine – Encephalitis or severe allergic reaction: 1 in 1,000,000 – No deaths, no congenital rubella Disease Risks vs. Vaccine Risks • DIPHTHERIA Death: 1 in 20 TETANUS Death: 2 in 10 PERTUSSIS Pneumonia: 1 in 8 Encephalitis: 1 in 20 Death: 1 in 1,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------• DTaP VACCINE (newer version of DPT) – Continuous crying, then full recovery: 1 in 1000 – Convulsions or shock, then full recovery: 1 in 14,000 – Acute encephalopathy: 0-10.5 in 1,000,000 – Death: None proven Diseases Are Coming Back 7 Babies died in California in 2010 Measles Outbreaks • The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in 15 years, with 118 cases so far in 2011. • • • Typical example: A 7-year-old boy, who was intentionally unvaccinated against measles, was exposed to the virus while traveling in Europe. When he returned home to San Diego, he unknowingly exposed a total of 839 people, and an additional 11 unvaccinated children contracted the disease. Three of those infected were babies, too young to have yet received the measles vaccines, and one of the babies was hospitalized for three days with a 106-degree fever. In immunocompromised patients (AIDS, chemotherapy, etc.) the fatality rate would be around 30% Moving Goalposts • • • • MMR Thimerosal Mercury from all sources Other vaccine ingredients - formaldehyde, aluminum, ether, anti-freeze, and human aborted fetal tissue • Too many vaccines overwhelm the immune system? – Fewer antigens in all vaccines today than in one smallpox vaccine. – If the 11 routinely recommended vaccines were all administered together, the immune system would need to use only about 0.1% of its capacity to process them. • Delayed vaccine schedule? – No evidence of benefit. – Inherently dangerous False Claim: Diseases had begun to disappear before vaccines Some Typical Lies • Vaccines don’t prevent diseases, they cause them. • Smallpox hasn’t gone away, it’s just being called chickenpox. • Vaccines cause cancer, autism, crib death and everything else that is increasing. (Pirates?) • “Swine flu was made in a government lab for genocidal purposes • “No flu vaccines have ever worked and it's all a scam.” Contrary to Nature? • Claim: Mercola says “Injecting organisms into your body to provoke immunity is contrary to nature.” • Fact: Nature kills people. Doing something contrary to nature is what medicine is all about. It’s a good thing. Anti-Vaccine Arguments • Every anti-vaccine argument has been thoroughly refuted. • Even the only one that sort of makes sense: – My child is unlikely to be exposed. – I can ride on the coattails of those who get the vaccine. – Puts community at risk and ultimately endangers child. An Easy Choice Vague hypothetical possibility of risk contradicted by strong scientific evidence Vs. Known benefits of vaccines Heads We Win; Tails We Lose An Actual Debate • • • • • • • I don’t want the flu vaccine because A A is false. OK, but I still don’t want it because B B is false OK, but I still don’t want it because C C is false OK, but I still don’t want it because I don’t like needles. WA State Counties’ School Entry Exemption Rates 2005-2007 “Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after.” - Jonathan Swift Lest we forget