VACCINES AGAIN???

I am writing today about a topic that is not only controversial, but also a very emotional subject for many. I say that because when I have written about this issue in the past it has generated visceral responses from some readers. As a matter of fact, I have had those that have unsubscribed from my newsletter, unfriended me, and even left my practice over what I have revealed regarding this subject. You see when I write on this topic or any for that matter I do my best to extract emotion from the issues I bring to you. I am a biologist by training and education. I have studied living things my entire life. In this vein I have been educated to remove emotion from the equation when studying the workings of living things. I always make my best attempt to do this in my writings as well.

So, as I discuss with you today the topic of vaccines and vaccination, I will bring your irrefutable facts, and when I offer my opinion, theories, or hypothesis about the subject I will inform you first.

Our first group of facts is this. There have been drastic changes in the vaccine schedules over the last 60 years. Many of us who grew up in the 1950's, 60's and 70's, recall the main vaccination concerns. They were polio and smallpox primarily. The only recommended vaccinations at the time were a DPT (Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccination at 2 months, and at 6 months the polio, and smallpox vaccines were also on the list of recommended vaccines.

By 1983 this list grew to 11 recommended vaccinations, many of which were "booster vaccines". At ages 2 and 4 months DPT and Polio vaccines were recommended. Then at 6 months another DPT booster was recommended. At 15 to 18 months MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccine, and again at 18 months a DPT and polio booster. Then again at 4 years another DPT, and polio. Then at 15 years the Td (tetanus/diphtheria) vaccine was recommended.

Then an interesting and concerning event changed the landscape of the vaccine industry. In 1986 the "National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act" (NCVIA) was passed by congress and signed into law by the then sitting President Ronald Reagan. One piece of this legislation, and the part that the pharmaceutical industry lobbied for very effectively was the following: "Provides that compensation awarded under the Program shall be paid out of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund. Limits awards for actual and projected pain and suffering and emotional distress to $250,000. Prohibits awards for punitive damages." This specific part of the legislation totally insulated the drug manufacturers from any financial liability for damages proven to be directly due to the result of specific vaccines. This legislation resulted in part from threats from the pharmaceutical companies due to the volume of lawsuits they were settling with individuals who had proven that they, or their children were injured as a direct result of the vaccine. These drug manufacturers were threatening to discontinue the manufacturing of vaccines unless the federal government could come up with a financial solution for this bleed on the industry. I only need to reference the multitude of adverse vaccine events and subsequent lawsuits against these drug companies launched by the multitude of individuals who acquired Gillian Barret Syndrome after being inoculated with the vaccine for the "Swine Flu Epidemic". This event occurred prior to, but close to, the passing of this piece of legislation in 1986. The bottom line was that once the NCVIA passed, the drug manufacturers were now off the hook financially for any litigation that settled against them due to an adverse drug event related to the vaccine. Unfortunately, that meant that we the taxpayers now were given the privilege of footing that bill.

Following the passing of this legislation however the flood gates opened and the prescribed vaccine schedule ballooned to cover pregnancy to 18 years. At the point of conception mom is recommended to have the TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or whooping cough vaccine) along with the influenza vaccine. The scheduled times of administration of these vaccines has grown as of 2019 to the day of birth, and then at ages 2, 4, 6, 7, 12, 18, 30, and 42 months. Then at 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 years. The additional vaccines include Influenza, Meningitis B, Meningitis ACWY, Gardasil Varicella, MMR, Hepatitis A, Pneumococcal, HiB (Hemophilus influenzae type B vaccine), Rotavirus, Rotavirus, and Hepatitis B.

In 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Bruesewitz vs. Wyeth case in which the Justices were to decide whether a section of the 1986 NCVIA preempts all vaccine design defect claims against manufacturers, which challenged the safety of vaccines. The court ruled that; vaccines are unavoidably unsafe, and that manufacturers may not be sued for design defect. "Subsection (b) then declares that manufacturers are immune from liability for claims arising from "unavoidable" injuries and deaths related to vaccine administration".

Let's look at how to identify a "Vaccine Reaction". In my 34 years of practice I have seen many different manifestations of reactions following vaccination in various age groups. These reactions ranged from a simple rash at the injection site to swelling, redness, and heat at the site, as well as extreme reactions like a "febrile seizure". Here is a list of some of the things to look for following any form of vaccination in adults as well as children. Pronounced swelling, redness, heat or hardness at the injection site. A body rash or hives. Shock/collapse followed by unresponsiveness, and a deep sleep. High pitched screaming, or hours of persistent crying in infants and children. Changes in sleep/wake pattern, and dramatic personality changes. High fever (over 103 F). Twitching or jerking motions of the body, arms, legs or head. Weakness/paralysis of any part of the body. Crossing of the eyes, loss of eye contact or social withdrawal. Loss of the ability to roll over, sit up, or stand up in children and infants. Head banging or unusual flapping, rubbing, rocking, or spinning motions. Joint pains, or muscle weakness. Disabling fatigue or loss of memory. Onset of chronic ear or respiratory infections or breathing problems (including asthma.) Severe/persistent diarrhea, or chronic constipation. Excessive bruising, bleeding or anemia. While this is an extensive list it certainly is not an exhaustive one, simply because every person receiving a drug or vaccine is different in their genetic makeup, their immune status, and their level of health and fitness. In other words, their ability to sustain insult to the body and to the immune system. This leads me to my editorial on the subject.

For those who would like to tune out right now feel free to since my intent is not to offend anyone's belief system, or desire not to entertain discussion and debate on the topic of vaccination. Everything prior to this paragraph was irrefutable facts. So, here you go with some of my thoughts. First of all let it be known that I am not saying vaccines do not have their place. However, I believe that vaccination of children and adults must consider the individual. In that process the state of the patient's general health, nutritional status, immune status, and yes even genetic profile should, and I would say must, be taken in consideration before considering vaccinating anyone. Take into consideration what is being done on the genetic front today relative to different drugs, and for that matter nutritional supplements, and nutraceuticals that is going on today. Certain SNP's (single nuclide polymorphisms), which are pieces of genes, may be missing in an individual and therefore the individual is unable to manufacture certain proteins which are used in certain reaction cycles in the body. As a result, the individual is unable to generate substances or perform certain processes necessary for proper health. This is a subject that is being widely studied today. In medicine this can affect which drug is used on a particular patient. In the nutrition field the same thing is occurring. We are looking at genetics before considering certain nutritional protocols.

All I am saying is this; as with so many things in caring for our patient's doctors must be judicious in the treatments they choose. We must always remember that the "one size fits all" mentality certainly doesn't work when we are dealing with a patient population which is diverse not only in racial makeup, but also in family history, toxic exposures, nutritional status, level of obesity, and cardiovascular, hepatic, and kidney functions. Just to mention a few of the considerations any physician must take into account regardless of his or her specialty in tailoring a treatment protocol for a patient. The same judicious consideration must, in my opinion, be given to the current blanket use of vaccinations on our infant and adult populations.

I trust that my information and commentary sparked some thoughts, and perhaps further research on your part of this controversial topic. I am available if you want to discuss any specific concerns you may have about this subject.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Pfeiffer