Who are some Key Players?

          Dr. Andrew Wakefield, Dr. Paul Offit, Dr. Richard Pan, and Robert F. Kennedy to name a few.

Dr. Stanley Plotkin was born in 1932 in New York. He credits his career to reading a novel called Arrowsmith, by Sinclair Lewis and Microbe Hunters,  a non-fiction science drama by Paul de Kruif.  He has almost single-handedly overseen the creation of all modern-day vaccinations, beginning with his creation of the rubella vaccine in 1963. This fact is interesting because he just so happened to be interested in this specific disease, and an outbreak happens in Europe, then America. His career is laden with controversy, as he pioneered the use of aborted fetal cells as a vaccine growth medium; WI-38 was a 3 month gestated female and named after the laboratory, Wistar, and being the 38th human sample. His biggest critics claimed using human cells caused cancer to proliferate, and he stood firm that there wasn't sufficient evidence to prove that theory, claiming they were just being blinded by religion. over half a century later, they have yet to conduct further studies as to whether or not injecting human DNA into a population can lead to cancer (carcinogenic) or genetic mutation (Mutagenic).  

 Dr. Andrew Wakefield If there were a 'Cliffs notes" for controversy within the vaccine conversation,  the first chapter would most likely include that the information used to make "anti-vax" decisions come from the discredited work of blacklisted Wakefield. Born in the UK in 1957 He became a well-respected gastroenterologist whose fall from grace was extremely fast. He had a patient whose mother claimed his gut problems, and Autism correlated with his receiving the MMR vaccine. Wakefield originally was not interested, but then had more parents showing up claiming the same thing, He finally relented.  Alongside several other respected medical professionals. For some reason, he was the only one who was ostracized from the medical community, out of the thirteen authors of the study.

Senator Dr. Richard Pan was born in 1965 in the US. He is a California Senator who introduced a very controversial bill, SB277 which passes, eliminating all personal and religious vaccine exemptions in California. He received 95,000 in pharmaceutical campaign cash the year before he introduced his bill. He has recently introduced a bill removing physicians' right to administer medical exemptions, and placing the responsibility into the hands of bureaucrats. This has many parents afraid that case-by-case exemptions are a thing of the past. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Born in 1954 is, yes, one of THE Kennedys. His dad was JFK's brother. He is an author, lawyer, and politician. He fights for the Environment, Minority, and Indigenous rights,  Children's health, against factory farms, and is considered a huge political voice for parents of vaccine-injured children. He has his hand in many pies. He is not without his own controversy, mostly revolving around his vaccine hesitancy and his bold statements regarding government malfeasance.

Dr. Paul Offitt was born in 1951 in the US. He is big in the pro-vaccination, and "Vaccines are not related to Autism" faction.  He is credited with creating the rotavirus vaccine and has written 130 papers in favor of his vaccine. Something the Anti-vax community might never admit knowing is that he was the only member of the CDCs advisory panel that voted against administering the Smallpox vaccine to tens of thousands of American citizens. He stated that the risks of the vaccine outweighed its current benefits. 

Wikipedia.com for most basic information with the exception of:

“Stanley Plotkin, MD.” Stanley Plotkin, MD | History of Vaccines,                                                                   www.historyofvaccines.org/content/stanley-plotkin-md.

Wakefield, A J, et al. “RETRACTED: Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia, Non-Specific Colitis,                  and Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Children.” The Lancet, vol. 102, no. 2609, 28 Feb.             1998, pp. 306–309., doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)65615-6.

Conflict of interest, or "collaboration"?

Do you trust what your doctor recommends? How about 20,679 Doctors?

I want to use this opportunity to explore the influence pharmaceutical companies have on the choices and education of our medical community. Early in their college careers, aspiring Doctors are exposed to a lot of pharmaceutical reps.  This article, "The Pharmaceutical Industries role in U.S. Medical Education", is so amazing. It highlights this extremely controversial issue. 

Back in 2009, The New York Times explored one student's discovery that his "... Professor was not only a full-time member of the Harvard Medical faculty but a paid consultant to 10 drug companies, including five makers of cholesterol treatments.

They call it "Collaboration"

Do you need a medical reference? Merck makes one! In fact, they have their very own publishing company! Even TIME magazine was concerned. 

So, we should trust that the reason our doctors recommend something is an indication that they themselves have researched the product, and its contraindications and side effects relating to the specific patient, and not that they received a free meal or company swag to influence their decisions? 

Heres a job posting for local Vaccine reps. In the interest of any future readers, I'll post the content of the ad below. 

I'm afraid we live in a world where money is the most important thing, and people are just a means to an end. The company that makes your prescription can be held liable if their product harms you, but not vaccine companies. WHY are vaccines in need of advertising, anyway? In a competitive market, companies are racing to be the first and only company to produce a vaccine. Does that ensure sufficient time for "gold standard" testing? More like medical fast tracking! The Gardasil vaccine is a great example! The Irish Times reported a large number of girls experiencing adverse reactions, and there is even an organization called the Gardasil Girls. Australia experienced something similar.

in 2008, I was in the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, with my now oldest daughter. She was diagnosed as "failure to thrive" and possibly brain-damaging Kernicterus (brain damage caused by dangerous levels of bilirubin). Only one Doctor asked what shots she had received, and I looked into vitamin K with a few of the residents, and the reaction was certainly varied. Most of them had not been taught about vaccine reactions, and the patient in the next bed was a young teenage girl who had received her second installment of Gardasil and had been admitted from the ER with extreme edema of the lower extremities. In laymen's terms, her legs had swollen to tree trunks, and she was unable to walk. Our room had become the vaccine injury room, and most of the Doctors were extremely hesitant to say anything that could possibly come back to haunt them or their careers, in light of possible lawsuits. No one knew we had no "real" recourse. 

Please research ANYTHING you are prescribed or recommended to have implanted. Read ALL inserts or papers you get from the pharmacy or the box the vaccine comes in, We are the only ones who can decide what goes into our bodies, and according to the research I've done recently, we are the only true advocate we have in the medical world.

Vaccine Specialist - Aurora, CO

• Sell priority products in order to meet and exceed annual sales quotas by using the Account Call Model.

• Exceptional delivery of all core arguments and associated product messages. Consistent, excellent implementation of the Sales Action Plan. 

• Communication, coordination and cooperation with fellow representatives, specialty representatives and all of Company Management. 

• Plan and allocate sales activities to the highest potential opportunities to drive results for both the Public and Private markets. 

• Continually gain rapport with increasing number of customers by utilizing professional communication skills. 

• Use consultative selling approaches that satisfy the Company's various customers’ styles and business/product needs. 

• Routinely service and follow up with customers on product purchases and practices. 

• Prospect and qualify new and emerging markets and feedback information to the Company as requested. 

• Operate within assigned budgets.  

     

• Sell priority products in order to meet and exceed annual sales quotas by using the Account Call Model. 

Exceptional delivery of all core arguments and associated product messages. 

Consistent, excellent implementation of the Sales Action Plan.

2a) Plan and allocate sales activities to the highest potential opportunities to drive results for both the Public and Private markets. 

2b) Prospect and qualify new and emerging markets and feedback information to the Company as requested. Operate within assigned budgets. 

2c) Analyze business opportunities and strategically utilize CRB tools and promotional budget to identify the highest value accounts that bring the greatest ROI in sales growth. 

3a) Utilize the ATI selection process to define and refine on a trimester basis ensuring that the highest value accounts are identified within the established guidelines. Utilize BASS reports which include previous sales history & DO potential along with public zip code data. 

3b) Utilize ARIS to achieve optimal reach and frequency to highest potential ATI targets and Physicians by developing a routing plan that achieves a minimum of 6 calls per day and 7 physicians by effectively scheduling appointments and in-services to support the public & private ordering cycle (ie. EOQ, Easy order, Promotions). It is essential that we continue working the entire office and expanding our contacts on each call. 

3c)Effectively promote all assigned franchises in line with the company trimester priorities (ACM) Educate, sell and influence key contacts during each sales call by utilizing core arguments and persuasive selling skills which results in customer behavior change and increased sales. 

3d) Be organized for the sales call with current POA marketing messages and materials. Complete a thorough precall plan by reviewing sales history, script data reporting, previous calls notes in order to develop a Blueprint as a roadmap with specific objectives, methods & actions (SOMA). This involves anticipating and handling objections in order to advance the sale.

• Effective implementation of Customer Relationship Building tactics (i.e. VIMS, EZ Order, Well Connect, etc.), value added services, and Execution of the Action Plan is expected on a consistent basis. Minimum expectations will be stated in the trimester action plan. Any specific territory expectations (exceptions) will be defined and agreed upon between VS and DSM in order to adjust for any specific market conditions. VSs will be accountable for remaining within the allocated territory promotional budget and effective utilization of promotional money to generate positive return on investment (ROI). Adhering to the corporate promotional guidelines while supporting the data requirements for the Sunshine Act.

 • Prepare and conduct consultative business review presentations that differentiate the Company as a business partner by supporting customer objectives and engaging the client in clinical and business conversations. 

• BA. /B.S. required, preferably in Immunology, Biology or Business. 

• 2 years business to business sales experience. 

• A valid driver's license is required along with a record of safe driving record • Strong oral, written and analytical skills with the demonstrated ability to work in teams. Strong time management skills.

in-Training. “The Pharmaceutical Industry's Role in U.S. Medical Education.” In, 5 Apr. 2016, 

       in-training.org/drugged-greed-pharmaceutical-industrys-role-us-medical-education-10639.

What kind of safety studies are being done, and how often?

Vaccines are a commercial pharmaceutical product. All pharmaceuticals carry two risks; the risk of harm, and the risk of failure.

 Which is worse?

I suppose that the answer will vary depending on who you ask. The gold standard of testing, double-blind, placebo studies conducted over many years, seems to not have been done. I found information stating this would be unethical, and withholding vaccines from children in the interest of this study would put them at unnecessary risk. I agree. I'm not sure most parents would be comfortable not knowing if they had received the vaccine or the placebo. It would affect the way they travel or handle early symptoms.
So what are they doing, and how often?

The CDC, FDA and Pharmaceutical companies tend to conduct their own studies. Is this a conflict of interest, or a trusted source? I'm on the fence.
The Vaccine manufacturers threatened to pull out from vaccine production unless the government protected them from liability.  You can find a copy of the 1986 law here.
I came across this related court document, which I found to be pretty compelling. The Health and Human Services haven't filed a single vaccine safety study with the government since it was mandated in 1986. Keep in mind this doesn't mean they never did one, but it is unfortunate they failed to report even a single one.

Seatbelt companies have legal liability. Why not the people who make vaccines? People who win court cases through the correct channels can win settlements, but it is funded via taxes paid on every vaccine sold, not by the company producing the product.

Credibility should be of the utmost importance to the federal government, but more and more corruption passes for real concern every day. In fact, CDC director Robert Redfield MD has been accused of scientific misconduct for selecting data in favor of the AIDS vaccine he was helping develop in the early nineties. Is the concern for his honestly regarding vaccine safety data valid? Maybe not, but it truly influences his credibility to the public. It certainly is controversial.

Parents who claim vaccine studies are not up to snuff seem to say one of several things:

• Too many chemicals in vaccines ( excipients and adjuvants)
• No tests for carcinogenic or mutagenic properties (I found statements to the contrary)
• Conflict of interest with organizations doing their own studies (This is true)
• objectionable or immoral ingredients (unfortunately, true. pork, bovine, and human DNA)
• Possibility of heavy metal poisoning (I did find studies on PMID to support this)
• some vaccines are untested on populations they are recommended for* (see below)

This study tells us aluminum is a neurotoxin that isn't sufficiently researched. Aluminum is a popular adjuvant in vaccines. Injection of something has the potential to go to the brain, whereas ingesting it is processed by our body filters, Liver, gall bladder, spleen... They've removed Thimerisol (mercury) from almost all vaccines, but it is still in a couple.

wait..

Aluminum and Mercury are in some vaccines?

I hope that's not happening on even the most microscopic of levels!

There is so much information out there. I could literally argue both sides with credible sources and find good information and statistics to support both sides.

I think we should offer vaccines with honesty. Yes, there is a risk, but they are also a significant advance in medical science. Are they sufficiently studied? No. The science is never settled.


*it is true that they use "post-market" data to assess the safety of some vaccines because it would be unethical to have studies involving those demographics, such as pregnant women. This is unnerving because the DTAP recommended to all pregnant women is used to collect data this way.




Human and Experimental Toxicology, 31(10) 1012–1021, DOI: 10.1177/0960327112440111,