At first I wasn't going to write this post since I believe that a film that appears to be (at least in part) based on thoroughly discredited, fear-mongering nonsense should get as little attention as possible.
Then after browsing several anti-vaccine and conspiracist websites I found as I suspected, that this has already exploded and whatever I write here won't make matters any worse.
The film 'Vaxxed' is directed by Mr Andrew Wakefield, a former physician who lost his medical license after research that he had authored, was found fraudulent (containing as I understand it, both methodological and ethical flaws).
Just watching the trailer for this film elevated my BP into dangerous territory. How is it that this man keeps promoting the same debunked data to this day? Hasn't it caused enough harm already?
It seems that anti-vaccine proponents span the entire spectrum from sadly misinformed to clearly unhinged. However, no matter what their individual motivation happens to be, they are in my opinion dangerous. We have fought a hard battle against diseases that today are vaccine-preventable. Millions of children have died in the past and some still do, to this day. We don't see much of it in first-world countries due to the success of vaccines. Anti-vaccine proponents seem to believe that the "olden days" were better. I think it's deeply worrisome.
In my escapades around the internet, I've found all sorts of scary blogs, clips and opinions relating to childhood vaccines.
This YouTube clip rather amusingly (in a sad way) has 90 likes and zero (!) dislikes (probably because no rational person would even click on it in the first place). (I'm not sure what this says about me)
Anyway this women thinks that nagalese (an enzyme) is added on purpose to vaccines in order to induce autism, cancer and type 2 diabetes in vaccine recipients. And the doctors who discovered this were subsequently murdered to cover this up. This vaccine tampering seems to be a part of some nefarious population control plot.
(It seems that alpha-N-acetylgalactoseaminidase (referred to as nagalese in the YouTube clip) can deglycosylate vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and DBP plays a role in the immune cascade response. So it seems that alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase can interfere with the immune response. While some cancer cells can release alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, I've found no proof that injecting them into humans induces cancers, never mind autism and DMII. I will however admit that I didn't spend an inordinate amount of time researching her theory).
I admit that this last video is a bit extreme. But this woman and other "anti-vaxxers" have one thing on common. They are willing to accept something as true, even when there is no supporting evidence available.
Serious questions:
* Why are some people so vulnerable/susceptible to flawed logic and poor research?
* What can we as nurses/healthcare professionals do to ensure that our patients base their decisions on sound evidence-based facts or at least have the opportunity to do so? Or should we just reconcile ourselves with the fact that a portion of the population will base their decisions on questionable or outright false information, misconceptions and fear?
Here's the background on the author of the link you provide:
In 1994, based on its investigation of several extremely serious complaints from his patients and their loved ones, the Medical Board of California found that Dr. Frank A. Shallenberger was subject to multiple disciplinary actions due to "gross incompetence," "repeated acts of gross negligence," and "acts of dishonesty and corruption which are substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a physician and surgeon." In response, Dr. Shallenberger chose not to contest the Board's findings, but to surrender his license to practice medicine in the state of California.
After losing his license in California, Dr. Shallenberger moved to Nevada, where he now runs the Nevada Center for Alternative and Anti-Aging Medicine in Carson City.
In 1995, having failed to notify Nevada officials of the surrender of his California license, Dr. Shallenberger was publicly admonished by the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners. The President of the Board, Thomas Scully, MD, wrote to Shallenberger, "Your conduct casts great discredit upon you personally and professionally, and upon the medical profession in general. It is my unpleasant duty as President of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners to formally and publicly reprimand you for your conduct."
In September 2007, Shallenberger pleaded guilty to one count of medical malpractice in response to another complaint against him. The case arose as a consequence of Shallenberger's mistreatment of David Horton, who died after Shallenberger misdiagnosed his colon cancer as hemorrhoids, treated him with witch-hazel and other ineffectual remedies, then, after Horton's cancer had spread, unsuccessfully tried to combat the disease with Insulin Potentiation Therapy, a controversial treatment that has yet to be accepted by mainstream oncologists.
Hepatitis B immunization at 12 hours after birth. DPT immunization at 4 and 8 weeks*; oral polio immunization also at 4 and 8 weeks, again at 3 months. Schedule now being changed; children will receive 2 doses of live attenuated oral polio and 2 doses killed polio; oral polio can cause disease; only killed polio is used in Europe.
Because of great decrease in cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in infants, the vaccines lower CMI further; one decreases CMI by 50%; two together by 70%. Longest safety trial of of the triple vaccine (MMR, all live attenuated viruses) was three weeks.
Repeated immunizations with 3 vaccines simultaneously, e.g., pneumococcus, hemophilus, etc. from 4 weeks to 12 or 18 months. Repeat DPT is given at 12 months.* All these triple vaccines markedly impair CMI.
Resultant decrease in CMI predisoposes to recurrent viral infections, especially otitis media, since CMI controls response to viruses (also fungi [e.g., Candida], parasites [e.g., leishmaniasis], mycobacteria [e.g., tuberculosis, even if drug resistant, and leprosy].
When infections occur, bacterial cultures rarely performed, yet infants repeatedly given antibiotics. Antibiotics are of asbsolutely no help in viral infections; in some countries, antibiotic administration without a prior cultutre is considered malpractice.
Antibiotics wipe out helpful bacteria in the gut (e.g., lactobacilli, bifidobacteria) which have important protective functions, including prevention of infection by yeast, pathogenic bacteria, and/or parasites. The protection is provided in part by the helpful bacteria clinging to the intestinal cell wall, thus preventing pathogenic microorganisms from getting to it. The pathogenic bacteria compete with the body for vitamin B-12 and perhaps other vitamins and minerals.
After helpful bacteria wiped out, Candida usually develops. Candida produces toxin. However its main deleterious effect is avid binding of coenzyme q10, usually at barely adequate levels in the diet of normals to begin with, to a far greater extent than by normal tissues. Candida is not the cause of increased intestinal permeability, except in rare instances, since substances passing into the body enter via the small intestine (jejeunum) whereas Candida is almost always confined to the large intestine ( but if present in jejeunum, can be life-threatening).
The Candida infection is usually treated with ketoconazole or similar anti-yeast antibiotic.
Ketoconazole and similar compounds impair patient's liver function as shown by liver detoxification profile. This could also be a factor in increased intestinal permeability, because the liver also synthesizes the J piece (joining piece) that binds two molecules of IgA antibodies together to form secretory IgA, which protects the intestinal tract from a variety of damaging agents; severe diminution of secretory IgA predisposes to increased intestinal permeability. Furthermore, since the blood vessels from the colon go directly to the liver via the enterohepatic circulation, the various toxins from microorganisms and undigested food in the colon go directly to the liver and impairs the latter's detoxification mechanisms and its production of enzymes. (The liver produces the vast majority of the hundreds of different body enzymes necessary for normal metabolism.).
Decrease in production of the liver enzymes (phosphosulfotransferase and cytochrome p450 family) causes failure to break food proteins (including gluten and casein) into peptides. The intact proteins cross into circulation, and antibodies** are formed against them. The antibodies complex with the antigen to form antigen-antibody complexes, that in turn can enter various organs and seek out cells with receptors for antigen-antibody complexes, e.g., cells of the joints (causing arthritis), muscles (causing myalgia), or brain (causing cognitive dysfunction).
*DPT immunization in inbred mice has been shown to result in decrease synthesis of cytochrome p450 and of phosphosulfotransferase and of the messenger RNA's necessary for their production.
**If antibodies are not detectable, this may be due to immune complex in antigen access.
Prevention
The law states that infants with immune defects should not receive immunizations. But no pediatricians test for immune deficiency before giving immunizations. They are always given out of convenience for pediatricians at well-baby follow-ups at 4 and 8 weeks in this country.
Defer Rubella vaccine in males completely, in females defer until age when menses begins. Rubella is only a mild disease in the developed countries, with mild fever and "spots" for three days. Reason for females taking it a menses is because if Rubella occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy the child will develop severe congenital defects starts to prevent congenital defects. If administered during first or second trimester do not give to women for at least 2½ years following delivery of last child, as the vaccine virus is present in respiratory secretions for seven days and can cause disease.
Defer other immunizations until age 4 (except for tetorifice and diphtheria toxoid which should be given at 2½ years).
Obtain IgG antibody titers from cord blood to all vaccines currently in use and store away a sample of serum so they can be tested for vaccines which will be introduced later (we are introducing 1-2 new immunizations each year). If any of the IgG antibody to DPT, MMR, polio (and in the British Commonwealth countries 16 Coxsackie viruses), get IgM on infant from the stored serum (divided into 2 parts), and the mother, father and the sib of closest age should be tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to the relevant virus.
Do not take influenza vaccines or other new vaccines. Ask the physician if the vaccine bottle contains mercury (thiomerol or alum [which boosts the response to various immunizing agents]). Also ask physician to obtain vaccines free of these. Repeat injections of these agents can cause all kinds of immunologic aberrations.
Nurses in newborn nurseries should not receive rubella vaccine. Rubella immunization of nurses in Philadelphia 12 years ago, because of several cases of rubella in newborn infants, resulted in a micro-epidemic of CFIDS.
Treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders
A. Non Specific Therapies (i.e. not limited to one disorder within the spectrum)
For Candida infections give Diflucan, asynthesized antifungal, but only if Candida is demonstrated in stool, urine, finger- and toe-nails, and/or lady parts, etc., or if serum Candida detection test gives highly positive results. If present in stool, patient's own Candida should be tested against specific antifungals and six natural substances to see which of these the organism is mosr subseptible.Lactobacillus acidophilus and thermophilic bacteria to eradicate and put good bacteria back in the bowel. If refractory, use Candida-specific transfer factor.
If serious reaction to the immunization, measure antigen-antibody complexes by four methods. If elevated: (a) plasmapheresis or (b) Theoretical: a method that has been used for Digitalis toxicity: Couple antibody to offending toxin or vaccine virus to Sephadex Columns and pass plasma through this to remove anti-toxin or vaccine and return plasma to patient (if this is difficult to understand, it does not differ that much from dialysis for kidney failure.)
At age 15 months, get IgG titers to measles, mumps, rubella, HHV-6, DPT (all 3), cytomegalovirus, antibody to the "early" antigen EBV, also mycoplasma fermentens and chlamydia. (TF's available for most of these).
Often increased intestinal permeability; if present, correct by appropriate dietary means (can be determined by very simple test). For most severe increased intestinal permitability, restrict diet to rice-based milk-free, wheat-free, corn-free, and sugar-free diet containing amino acids and proteins (astronauts' diet) for three months.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis (e.g., Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories-GSDL) for pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and parasites. If present, test sensitivity to natural agents and antibiotics; use those agents to which patient's pathogens are most sensitive. If chymotrypsin is subnormal in the stool, add oral enzymes, preferably alphazyme or gammazyme. If stool pH is alkaline and patient complains of upper abdominal distress, add betaine (tri-methylglycine). Take sublingual vitamins and zinc.
If elevated toxic metals or deficient trace minerals on screening by hair analysis, repeat abnormal levels by blood test. Also measure content of metals and minerals in drinking water.
Test for malabsorption, especially if stools float or are intermittently light colored. If so, oral vitamins and minerals are only partially absorbed; administer such sublingually.
The article you quote is not from a scientific journal-it's from some charlatan's self promoting website. Sorry-that's pseudoscience. Try again.
Vaccines are not 100% effective, and some children CANNOT get them or DO NOT respond to them due to health issues. It's not a choice for them. The intelligent rich people you mention may be rich, but I do question their intelligence in letting their children remain unprotected from fatal and debilitating diseases.
Hepatitis B immunization at 12 hours after birth. DPT immunization at 4 and 8 weeks*; oral polio immunization also at 4 and 8 weeks, again at 3 months. Schedule now being changed; children will receive 2 doses of live attenuated oral polio and 2 doses killed polio; oral polio can cause disease; only killed polio is used in Europe.
Because of great decrease in cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in infants, the vaccines lower CMI further; one decreases CMI by 50%; two together by 70%. Longest safety trial of of the triple vaccine (MMR, all live attenuated viruses) was three weeks.
Repeated immunizations with 3 vaccines simultaneously, e.g., pneumococcus, hemophilus, etc. from 4 weeks to 12 or 18 months. Repeat DPT is given at 12 months.* All these triple vaccines markedly impair CMI.
Resultant decrease in CMI predisoposes to recurrent viral infections, especially otitis media, since CMI controls response to viruses (also fungi [e.g., Candida], parasites [e.g., leishmaniasis], mycobacteria [e.g., tuberculosis, even if drug resistant, and leprosy].
When infections occur, bacterial cultures rarely performed, yet infants repeatedly given antibiotics. Antibiotics are of asbsolutely no help in viral infections; in some countries, antibiotic administration without a prior cultutre is considered malpractice.
Antibiotics wipe out helpful bacteria in the gut (e.g., lactobacilli, bifidobacteria) which have important protective functions, including prevention of infection by yeast, pathogenic bacteria, and/or parasites. The protection is provided in part by the helpful bacteria clinging to the intestinal cell wall, thus preventing pathogenic microorganisms from getting to it. The pathogenic bacteria compete with the body for vitamin B-12 and perhaps other vitamins and minerals.
After helpful bacteria wiped out, Candida usually develops. Candida produces toxin. However its main deleterious effect is avid binding of coenzyme q10, usually at barely adequate levels in the diet of normals to begin with, to a far greater extent than by normal tissues. Candida is not the cause of increased intestinal permeability, except in rare instances, since substances passing into the body enter via the small intestine (jejeunum) whereas Candida is almost always confined to the large intestine ( but if present in jejeunum, can be life-threatening).
The Candida infection is usually treated with ketoconazole or similar anti-yeast antibiotic.
Ketoconazole and similar compounds impair patient's liver function as shown by liver detoxification profile. This could also be a factor in increased intestinal permeability, because the liver also synthesizes the J piece (joining piece) that binds two molecules of IgA antibodies together to form secretory IgA, which protects the intestinal tract from a variety of damaging agents; severe diminution of secretory IgA predisposes to increased intestinal permeability. Furthermore, since the blood vessels from the colon go directly to the liver via the enterohepatic circulation, the various toxins from microorganisms and undigested food in the colon go directly to the liver and impairs the latter's detoxification mechanisms and its production of enzymes. (The liver produces the vast majority of the hundreds of different body enzymes necessary for normal metabolism.).
Decrease in production of the liver enzymes (phosphosulfotransferase and cytochrome p450 family) causes failure to break food proteins (including gluten and casein) into peptides. The intact proteins cross into circulation, and antibodies** are formed against them. The antibodies complex with the antigen to form antigen-antibody complexes, that in turn can enter various organs and seek out cells with receptors for antigen-antibody complexes, e.g., cells of the joints (causing arthritis), muscles (causing myalgia), or brain (causing cognitive dysfunction).
*DPT immunization in inbred mice has been shown to result in decrease synthesis of cytochrome p450 and of phosphosulfotransferase and of the messenger RNA's necessary for their production.
**If antibodies are not detectable, this may be due to immune complex in antigen access.
Prevention
The law states that infants with immune defects should not receive immunizations. But no pediatricians test for immune deficiency before giving immunizations. They are always given out of convenience for pediatricians at well-baby follow-ups at 4 and 8 weeks in this country.
Defer Rubella vaccine in males completely, in females defer until age when menses begins. Rubella is only a mild disease in the developed countries, with mild fever and "spots" for three days. Reason for females taking it a menses is because if Rubella occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy the child will develop severe congenital defects starts to prevent congenital defects. If administered during first or second trimester do not give to women for at least 2½ years following delivery of last child, as the vaccine virus is present in respiratory secretions for seven days and can cause disease.
Defer other immunizations until age 4 (except for tetorifice and diphtheria toxoid which should be given at 2½ years).
Obtain IgG antibody titers from cord blood to all vaccines currently in use and store away a sample of serum so they can be tested for vaccines which will be introduced later (we are introducing 1-2 new immunizations each year). If any of the IgG antibody to DPT, MMR, polio (and in the British Commonwealth countries 16 Coxsackie viruses), get IgM on infant from the stored serum (divided into 2 parts), and the mother, father and the sib of closest age should be tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to the relevant virus.
Do not take influenza vaccines or other new vaccines. Ask the physician if the vaccine bottle contains mercury (thiomerol or alum [which boosts the response to various immunizing agents]). Also ask physician to obtain vaccines free of these. Repeat injections of these agents can cause all kinds of immunologic aberrations.
Nurses in newborn nurseries should not receive rubella vaccine. Rubella immunization of nurses in Philadelphia 12 years ago, because of several cases of rubella in newborn infants, resulted in a micro-epidemic of CFIDS.
Treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders
A. Non Specific Therapies (i.e. not limited to one disorder within the spectrum)
For Candida infections give Diflucan, asynthesized antifungal, but only if Candida is demonstrated in stool, urine, finger- and toe-nails, and/or lady parts, etc., or if serum Candida detection test gives highly positive results. If present in stool, patient's own Candida should be tested against specific antifungals and six natural substances to see which of these the organism is mosr subseptible.Lactobacillus acidophilus and thermophilic bacteria to eradicate and put good bacteria back in the bowel. If refractory, use Candida-specific transfer factor.
If serious reaction to the immunization, measure antigen-antibody complexes by four methods. If elevated: (a) plasmapheresis or (b) Theoretical: a method that has been used for Digitalis toxicity: Couple antibody to offending toxin or vaccine virus to Sephadex Columns and pass plasma through this to remove anti-toxin or vaccine and return plasma to patient (if this is difficult to understand, it does not differ that much from dialysis for kidney failure.)
At age 15 months, get IgG titers to measles, mumps, rubella, HHV-6, DPT (all 3), cytomegalovirus, antibody to the "early" antigen EBV, also mycoplasma fermentens and chlamydia. (TF's available for most of these).
Often increased intestinal permeability; if present, correct by appropriate dietary means (can be determined by very simple test). For most severe increased intestinal permitability, restrict diet to rice-based milk-free, wheat-free, corn-free, and sugar-free diet containing amino acids and proteins (astronauts' diet) for three months.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis (e.g., Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories-GSDL) for pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and parasites. If present, test sensitivity to natural agents and antibiotics; use those agents to which patient's pathogens are most sensitive. If chymotrypsin is subnormal in the stool, add oral enzymes, preferably alphazyme or gammazyme. If stool pH is alkaline and patient complains of upper abdominal distress, add betaine (tri-methylglycine). Take sublingual vitamins and zinc.
If elevated toxic metals or deficient trace minerals on screening by hair analysis, repeat abnormal levels by blood test. Also measure content of metals and minerals in drinking water.
Test for malabsorption, especially if stools float or are intermittently light colored. If so, oral vitamins and minerals are only partially absorbed; administer such sublingually.
Are these your personal research studies? Where did you get this info from? And just out of curiosity-are a you a nurse?
I just want to quickly touch on the idea of vaccinations and SIDS occurrence. Below is copied from the AAP's policy statement on SIDS:
"In a meta-analysis, Vennemann et al found a multivariate summary OR for immunizations and SIDS to be 0.54 (95% CI: 0.39–0.76), which indicates that the risk of SIDS is halved by immunization. The evidence continues to show no causal relationship between immunizations and SIDS and suggests that vaccination may have a protective effect against SIDS. "
I wish they had had the chicken pox vaccine when I was a child. They are miserable. I can still remember it. Plus, now after seeing friends with Shingles, I paid for my own Shingles vaccine before the recommended age because I dang sure do not want to suffer through that. I have vaccinated my kids and my grandkids have been vaccinated. I had my titers done 10 years ago before entering nursing school and still had good immunity to all childhood diseases and I was glad to see that but I would get more if needed.
Your overreaction and abject condemnation doe not indicate objectivity. Name calling is not open minded consideration of alternative conclusions. Pharmaceutical companies funding of research does not make for objectivity and the under reporting of vaccine induced adverse effects is suspect. Please respect others opinions and especially our right to disagree and control what enters our bodies. Believe it or not there is research that disagrees with you. I know its hard to swallow but you just might be wrong.
I don't dispute that essential oils have their benefits. Lavender relaxes me and Peppermint sometimes helps my IBS. But they are not a cure all for everything (and I know that no one said they were). Still getting my flu shot and taking my Bentyl.
Your overreaction and abject condemnation doe not indicate objectivity. Name calling is not open minded consideration of alternative conclusions. Pharmaceutical companies funding of research does not make for objectivity and the under reporting of vaccine induced adverse effects is suspect. Please respect others opinions and especially our right to disagree and control what enters our bodies. Believe it or not there is research that disagrees with you. I know its hard to swallow but you just might be wrong.
Hi, please use the quote feature so we know to whom you are posting.
Please post links to your stated research, so we can educate ourselves.
Your overreaction and abject condemnation doe not indicate objectivity. Name calling is not open minded consideration of alternative conclusions. Pharmaceutical companies funding of research does not make for objectivity and the under reporting of vaccine induced adverse effects is suspect. Please respect others opinions and especially our right to disagree and control what enters our bodies. Believe it or not there is research that disagrees with you. I know its hard to swallow but you just might be wrong.
Then please post links to double blind studies or meta-analyses from reputable peer reviewed scientific journals that address the dangers of vaccines. No one seems to be able to do that.
What is your post but an argument? So is what you're saying that you want to state your views but don't want anyone to disagree with you?
Or, maybe the OP has better things to do with his/her time than attempt to justify her beliefs to a bunch of people who have their minds made up on the issue. Purely speculation on my part, of course.
)
to cover this up. This vaccine tampering seems to be a part of some nefarious population control plot.
emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B
2,942 Posts
Here's the background on the author of the link you provide:
In 1994, based on its investigation of several extremely serious complaints from his patients and their loved ones, the Medical Board of California found that Dr. Frank A. Shallenberger was subject to multiple disciplinary actions due to "gross incompetence," "repeated acts of gross negligence," and "acts of dishonesty and corruption which are substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a physician and surgeon." In response, Dr. Shallenberger chose not to contest the Board's findings, but to surrender his license to practice medicine in the state of California.
After losing his license in California, Dr. Shallenberger moved to Nevada, where he now runs the Nevada Center for Alternative and Anti-Aging Medicine in Carson City.
In 1995, having failed to notify Nevada officials of the surrender of his California license, Dr. Shallenberger was publicly admonished by the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners. The President of the Board, Thomas Scully, MD, wrote to Shallenberger, "Your conduct casts great discredit upon you personally and professionally, and upon the medical profession in general. It is my unpleasant duty as President of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners to formally and publicly reprimand you for your conduct."
In September 2007, Shallenberger pleaded guilty to one count of medical malpractice in response to another complaint against him. The case arose as a consequence of Shallenberger's mistreatment of David Horton, who died after Shallenberger misdiagnosed his colon cancer as hemorrhoids, treated him with witch-hazel and other ineffectual remedies, then, after Horton's cancer had spread, unsuccessfully tried to combat the disease with Insulin Potentiation Therapy, a controversial treatment that has yet to be accepted by mainstream oncologists.
Frank Shallenberger, MD, disciplinary actions