Nexus - 0406 - New Times Magazine-pages

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A study examining this phenomenon concluded: "The apparent paradox is that as measles immunization rates rise to high levels in a population, measles becomes a disease of immunized per- sons.""® A more recent study found that measles "...produces immune suppression which contributes to an increased suscepti- bility to other infections."'* These studies suggest that the goal of complete immunisation is actually counterproductive—a notion underscored by instances in which epidemics followed complete immunisation of entire nations. Japan experienced yearly increases in smallpox follow- ing the introduction of compulsory vaccines in 1872. By 1892 there were 29,979 deaths, and all had been vaccinated.” Early in this century, the Philippines experienced their worst smallpox epi- demic ever, after eight million people received 24.5 million vac- cine doses; the death rate quadrupled as a result.7_ In 1989 Oman experienced a widespread polio outbreak six months after achiev- ing complete vaccination.” In the US in 1986, 90% of 1,300 per- tussis cases in Kansas were "adequately vaccinated".* In the 1993 Chicago pertussis outbreak, 72% of cases were fully up-to- date with their vaccinations.* VACCINATION TRUTH #2: "Evidence suggests that vacci - nation is an unreliable means of preventing disease." A study examining this phenomenon concluded: "The apparent __ related to the standard of hygiene and diet.” Credit given to vac- paradox is that as measles immunization rates rise to high levels cinations for our current disease incidence has simply been gross- in a population, measles becomes a disease of immunized per- ly exaggerated, if not outright misplaced. sons.""® A more recent study found that measles "...produces Vaccine advocates point to incidence statistics rather than mor- immune suppression which contributes to an increased suscepti- tality as proof of vaccine effectiveness. However, statisticians tell bility to other infections."'* us that mortality statistics can be a better measure of incidence These studies suggest that the goal of complete immunisation is than the incidence figures themselves, for the simple reason that actually counterproductive—a notion underscored by instances in the quality of reporting and record-keeping is much higher on which epidemics followed complete immunisation of entire fatalities.* For instance, a recent survey in New York City nations. Japan experienced yearly increases in smallpox follow- revealed that only 3.2% of paediatricians were actually reporting ing the introduction of compulsory vaccines in 1872. By 1892 measles cases to the health department. In 1974, the CDC deter- there were 29,979 deaths, and all had been vaccinated.” Early in mined that there were 36 cases of measles in Georgia, while the this century, the Philippines experienced their worst smallpox epi- Georgia State Surveillance System reported 660 cases.” In 1982, demic ever, after eight million people received 24.5 million vac- Maryland state health officials blamed a pertussis epidemic on a cine doses; the death rate quadrupled as a result.7_ In 1989 Oman television program, DPT—Vaccine Roulette, which warned of the experienced a widespread polio outbreak six months after achiev- dangers of DPT. However, when Dr J. Anthony Morris, former ing complete vaccination.” In the US in 1986, 90% of 1,300 per- top virologist for the US Division of Biological Standards, tussis s in Kansas were "adequately vaccinated".” In the analysed the 41 cases, only five were confirmed and all had been 1993 Chicago pertussis outbreak, 72% of cases were fully up-to- vaccinated.” Such instances as these demonstrate the fallacy of date with their vaccinations.” incidence figures, yet vaccine advocates tend to rely on them VACCINATION TRUTH #2: "Evidence suggests that vacci - _ indiscriminately. nation is an unreliable means of preventing disease." VACCINATION TRUTH #3: "It is unclear what impact vaccines had on infectious disease declines that occurred VACCINATION MYTH #3: throughout this century." "Vaccines are the main reason for low disease rates in the US today." VACCINATION MYTH #4: .or are they? England actually saw a drop "Vaccination is based on sound According to the British Association q q immunisation theory and prac- for the Advancement of Science, In pertussis deaths when tice." childhood diseases decreased 90% .F is it? between 1850 and 1940, paralleling vaccination rates dropped The clinical evidence for vaccina- improved sanitation and hygiene prac- from 80% to 30% in the tions is their ability to stimulate anti- tices well before mandatory vaccina- body production in the recipient—a tion programs were introduced. id. fact which is not disputed. What is Infectious disease deaths in the US mid 1 970s. not clear, however, is whether or not and England declined steadily by an such antibody production constitutes average of about 80% during this cen- immunity. For example, agamma- tury prior to vaccinations (measles globulin-anaemic children are inca- mortality declined over 97%).* In Great Britain, the polio epi- pable of producing antibodies, yet they recover from infectious demics peaked in 1950 and had declined 82% by the time the vac- diseases almost as quickly as do other children.*! cine was introduced there in 1956. Furthermore, a study published by the British Medical Council Thus, at best, vaccinations can be credited with only a small in 1950 during a diphtheria epidemic concluded that there was no percentage of the overall decline in disease-related deaths this relationship between antibody count and disease incidence; century. Yet even this small portion is questionable, as the rate of researchers found resistant people with extremely low antibody decline remained virtually the same after vaccines were intro- counts and sick people with high counts.” duced. Furthermore, European countries that refused immunisa- Natural immunity is a complex phenomenon involving many tion for smallpox and polio saw the epidemics end—as did those —_ organs and systems; it cannot be fully replicated by the artificial in the countries that mandated the immunisation. (In fact, both stimulation of antibody production. smallpox and polio immunisation campaigns were followed ini- Research also indicates that vaccination commits immune cells tially by significant disease incidence increases. During smallpox to the specific antigens involved in the vaccine, rendering them vaccination campaigns, other infectious diseases continued their incapable of reacting to other infections. Our immunological declines in the absence of vaccines. In England and Wales, small- reserve may thus actually be reduced, causing a generally lowered pox disease and vaccination rates eventually declined simultane- resistance.* ously over a period of several decades.”) Another component of immunisation theory is "herd immuni- It is thus impossible to say whether or not vaccinations con- ty", which states that when enough people in a community are tributed to the continuing decline in disease death rates, or if the immunised, all are protected. As Myth #2 revealed, there are same forces which brought about the initial declines—improved many documented instances showing just the opposite: fully vac- sanitation, hygiene, improvements in diet, natural disease cinated populations do contract diseases. With measles, this actu- cycles—were simply unaffected by the vaccination programs. ally seems to be the direct result of high vaccination rates." Underscoring this conclusion was a recent World Health A Minnesota state epidemiologist concluded that the Hib vac- Organization report which found that the disease and mortality cine increases the risk of illness, when a study revealed that vacci- rates in third world countries have no direct correlation with nated children were five times more likely to contract meningitis immunisation procedures or medical treatment, but are closely than were the unvaccinated children. mid-1970s. NEXUS - 23 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1997