Birth & Parenting News: Vaccine Safety

My son’s bad reaction to the MMR vaccine, some 29 years ago, provided the catalyst for my first serious questioning of the U.S. medical-pharmaceutical industry. Somehow, I couldn’t help wondering what was wrong with this picture: I had taken a healthy child into a doctor’s office and came home with a very ill baby. For several days, my son ran a very high fever and stopped walking. I remember running out to purchase a baby bottle to get some fluids into him, as he had weaned directly to a cup, but was not able to sit up and drink. I did not return for more and began to view the entire concept of taking healthy children to doctor’s offices in a whole new light. On this subject, I highly recommend the late Dr. Robert Mendelsohn’s book, How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor. Vaccines continue to be very controversial today. Here are some recent items of interest.

Family to Receive $1.5+ in First-Ever Vaccine Autism Court Award

As reported by the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), “The first court award in a vaccine-autism claim is a big one. CBS News has learned the family of Hannah Poling will receive more than $1.5 million dollars for her life care, lost earnings, and pain and suffering for the first year alone. In addition to the first year, the family will receive more than $500,000 per year to pay for Hannah’s care. Those familiar with the case believe the compensation could easily amount to $20 million over the child’s lifetime.

Hannah was described as normal, happy and precocious in her first 18 months. Then, in July 2000, she was vaccinated against nine diseases in one doctor’s visit: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, varicella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and Haemophilus influenzae. Afterward, her health declined rapidly. She developed high fevers, stopped eating, didn’t respond when spoken to, began showing signs of autism, and began having screaming fits.

In 2002, Hannah’s parents filed an autism claim in federal vaccine court. Five years later, the government settled the case before trial and had it sealed. It’s taken more than two years for both sides to agree on how much Hannah will be compensated for her injuries.” (CBS News, Sharyl Attkisson, reporter. Sept. 9, 2010.)

Are Vaccines Safe and Necessary?

Do vaccines cause autism and learning disorders? Do you have a choice? Is the H1N1 flu shot safe? Should pregnant mothers and babies get the vaccine? Mary Tocco has been an independent vaccine researcher for 30 years. She has several speaking engagements scheduled throughout Michigan through the end of the year.

Flu Vaccines in World News

Pharmaceutical Industry’s War Against Medicinal Herbs

As of April 1, 2011—just 4 months from now—virtually all medicinal herbs will become illegal in the European Union. The approach in the United States is a bit different, but it’s having the same devastating effect. Read more.

Birth & Parenting News Blog

Each Wednesday, we highlight the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.

Posted by Patty Brennan on December 1, 2010 • Filed under Birth & Parenting News
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