A letter from a concerned parent in America.

Is the death or injury of an infant or child an acceptable side-effect for the prevention of a disease that is curable? I am NOT A DOCTOR. I am a concerned parent who cares, who reads, and who can think. This was a hard decision for me to make due to the fact that I love my child and I would never knowingly inflict any pain on that beautiful gift from God. However, I can not immunize my child knowing what I know today.

The most alarming statistics come from the 3 in 1 shot called the DPT shot. D, Diphtheria (epidemic disease affecting mainly the throat and air passages) P, Pertussis a.k.a. Whooping cough (infectious disease marked by fits of convulsive coughing, followed by characteristic loud whoop or indrawing of breath) T, Tetanus (disease in which a virus causes spasms of violent muscular contraction; a.k.a lockjaw). [NOTE: this is information collected from many sources and while I have strived to be accurate and complete, I cannot guarantee that I have succeeded. This is not medical advice. For that, see your doctor or other health care provider.]

I recently received an e-mail from the attorney for a little boy who received DPT and OPV immunizations. He had these before too, but the school district re-requested these. Anyway, the boy had a reaction to one of the shots in which he began having seizures and severe headaches along with a general ache feeling. This has been occurring since the June 2, 1994 immunization. I (the attorney) am looking for any research you may have involving either of these shots along with any cases you may have heard of.

The symptoms the attorney describe are the classic "hard" reaction that I read about at the Medical College Library. I hate to be the one to tell you this, however, the symptoms will continue and may even get worse. Lord, I am so sorry. You would not believe the stories that I have heard. I can not believe that things like this are happening in this country. A country of "informed citizens". I never heard one word against immunization until a very close friend of mine confessed to me that she did some investigating and was so alarmed by what she found out that she has not vaccinated her child at all. I will tell you that my son has not had a single shot and will not get a shot for the duration of my motherhood. I have given you several places to get more info below. Please let me know how the child is doing. Please tell everyone that you come into contact with that something must be done to make vaccines safer to administer. Administering a vaccine so powerful that it kills or permanently damages a child's life is unforgivable. I am praying for that child and many others. (To the Attorney) Thanks so much for writing.

I have a 4 month old that recv'd the 2nd DTaP last Tuesday. By Wednesday morning at 02:00, seizures, without a fever, had started. Wednesday afternoon and again twice on Thursday and Friday. By Friday 19:00, he was being treated at the hospital emergency room. Three days later, following a EEG, CT and MRI, he was released. For the next 1 1/2 to 2 years, he will be on medication. Saturday was his last seizure. Although medicated, he appears to be doing much better than he was last week. Although we were familiar with the DPT, our research had indicated that the DTaP was much safer.

DTaP (Diphtheria Tetanus acellular Pertussis) Like DTP, it prevents diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It is only given for the 4th and 5th doses. It is less likely to cause the problems we see after DTP. (This statement on DTaP was issued by the CDC.)

A Comparison of Local Reactions to Two Formulations of DPT Vaccine, Presenter: Dr. T. Freeman, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Co-Authors: Dr. Moira Stewart, Dr. Brian Morris and Denise Cloutier-Fisher Objective: To compare two licensed DPT vaccines differing in composition with respect to local reactions in children receiving either the fourth or fifth dose (18 months or 4-6 years) of the vaccine. Design: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Sentinel family practices in the London (19) and Barrie (13) Ontario areas. Participants: Children about to receive the fourth or fifth dose of DPT vaccine and their mothers. Interventions: Participating children were randomized to receive one of two DPT vaccines (Vaccine A or B) differing in the amount of diphtheria, aluminum phosphate and perhaps pertussis.

Main outcome measures: Local reactions (redness, swelling and soreness at the sight of injection as recorded by the mother in a child health diary for the week post-vaccine.

Results: A total of 162 eligible children were approached and randomized; 145 returned completed diaries for a completion rate of 89.5%. For both vaccines children receiving the fifth dose experienced more redness and swelling than those receiving the fourth dose. Vaccine B containing less diphtheria, aluminum phosphate and pertussis, resulted in significantly less swelling and soreness at the sight of the injection. Use of over-the-counter medications (eg. acetaminophen) was significantly less for recipients of Vaccine B. Systemic symptoms (eg. sleepiness, irritability, rash, cough, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose) did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusion: The fifth dose of DPT vaccine results in greater local reactions. Lower doses of the diphtheria toxoid aluminum phosphate and perhaps the pertussis components results in significantly fewer local vaccine reactions.

The following is a disclaimer that is on all vaccine inserts: "As with any vaccine, vaccination may not result in sero-conversion in all individuals".

Sero-conversion = vaccine may not necessarily result in blood antibodies, and hence, may not work in everyone.

What is vaccination? The basic principle of vaccination is that a disease-causing agent is given to a person in a killed or weakened form (or in the form of proteins genetically engineered to look like a disease-causing agent), in order to stimulate the production of antibodies to fight off the disease. Live vaccines in particular can be risky for people with weakened immune systems, who have less ability to resist even the weakened form of the disease. Common minor adverse reactions include soreness or swelling at the injection site and fever. Because of the latter, vaccinations are often postponed if the recipient already has a fever.

I had a hard time finding statistics on just how many times the vaccine does work. Example: 1989 Ohio, Pertussis outbreak. 82 percent of the children that contracted the Pertussis were already fully vaccinated. The children that were vaccinated against the Pertussis had just as severe a case as if they had not been vaccinated at all. You hear all the time that "if you are vaccinated and you come in contact with the virus you will either escape from contracting the virus or you will have a lesser/easier case of the virus than the person who isn't vaccinated." All of the research that I could get my hands on proved that statement to be utterly false. Anyone and I mean anyone carries bacteria. Simply because you have or have not been vaccinated does not mean that you will or will not contaminate or be contaminated and become sick. The analogy of "you have not been vaccinated therefore you must be carrying or will carry more disease carrying bacteria" is absolutely not true. Schools and daycare can try and keep unvaccinated children out but they can't keep bacteria out.

What is pertussis? Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person.

Specific Reportable Diseases - Cases Reported: 1970 to 1990

Disease	1970	1980	1983	1984	1985
Pertussis (1000)	4.2	1.7	2.5	2.3	3.6

Who gets pertussis?
Pertussis can occur at any age. Seventy-five percent of reported cases occur in children under five years of age and 50 percent of these are in children under one year of age.

How is pertussis spread?
Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals. Frequently, older siblings who may be harboring the bacteria in their nose and throat can bring the disease home and infect an infant in the household.

What are the symptoms of pertussis?
Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection. Initially, symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high pitched whoop. A thick, clear mucous may be discharged. These episodes may recur for one to two months, and are more frequent at night.

How soon after infection do symptoms appear?
The incubation period is usually five to 10 days but may be as long as 21 days.

When and for how long is a person able to spread pertussis?
A person can transmit pertussis from seven days following exposure to three weeks after the onset of coughing episodes. The period of communicability is reduced to between five and seven days when antibiotic therapy is begun.

Does past infection with pertussis make a person immune?
One attack usually confers a lifetime immunity.

Does the DPT vaccine make an infant immune to pertussis?
No, not necessarily. Sero Conversion must take place inorder to establish immunity. Sero-conversion = the antibody must be taken up into the blood stream, thereby creating an antibody to fight against the virus/bacteria.

What are the complications associated with pertussis?
Complications of pertussis may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, loss of appetite, dehydration, seizures, encephalopathy (disorders of the brain), apneicepisodes (brief cessation of breathing) and death.

What is the vaccine for pertussis?
The vaccine for pertussis is usually given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend that DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine be given at two, four, six and 15 months of age and between four and six years of age. The vaccine itself can give rise to pertussis.

What can be done to prevent the spread of pertussis?
Treatment of cases with certain antibiotics such as erythromycin can shorten the contagious period. People who have or may have pertussis should stay away from young children and infants until properly treated.

Tips to treat Pertussis:
First of all, I am assuming that we are dealing with Pertussis and not an allergy (allergic reactions can have very similar symptoms!).

1. HUMIDIFY (outside the room, use a *dry* steam, use water that has been filtered - creates less of a dust product).
2. Buy an allergy filter (1800-allergy) for your heat return unit.
3. Change/wash bed sheets everyday in bleach (alot is not necessary) and mild detergent.
4. Do not use dryer sheets on clothes. Could cause further irritation. Use a very mild detergent on clothes and rinse twice.
5. Clean everything baby comes in contact with to control spreading and possible reinfection.
6. Write down when symptoms increase and what the symptoms are.
7. Write down exactly what you are feeding your child. Write down when, what, and if you notice any increase in symptoms up to 12 hrs. later.
8. No spicy foods! Keep it simple. Easier to watch for reaction. Lots of starches, no red meat, white meat o.k. but limited amount (broil, bake, stirfry). All the fresh vegtables (steam), soup (homemade preferably - can be made with tofu-full of protein!) (lots of liquid), and fresh juice - NO concentrate. Limited Fruit (depending on age and sensitivity, watch for diarrhea and allergic reaction - some fruits have a "special" bacteria that are only on that particular fruit). Filter or boil water. Recommend (if 3-9 months old) Earth's Best baby food and juice.
9. No herbs, and No *extra* vitamins. Give baby (depending on age) 1.0 ml of Poly-Vi-Sol vitamin drops (easier to digest and very low count of allergic reaction on record).
10. Nice warm (not too hot) baths. Dry completely and dress immediately. Avoid going outside and *unecessary* contact with anyone (including family members).

Contact with doctor is essential. If not satisfied with doctor, find another immediately. Keep in mind that if this is Pertussis, this could go on for 2 months. There is no miracle cure. Treating Pertussis with erythromycin is the suggested route.

Here is More Info on Hepatitis.

Hepatitis A - FDA recently approved SmithKline Beecham's Havrix, vaccine against Hepatitis A (so called infectious hepatitis). Hep A is usually spread by fecal-oral (stool-to-mouth) route. Outbreaks have occurred in those ingesting food or water contaminated with the virus, restaurants, daycare, (workers who do not wash their hands) and active homosexuals. Almost all young children will contract Hep A and recover with virtually no problem, carrying acquired immunity into adulthood. The harm occurs in adulthood. It is thought that use of Hep A vaccince in developing countries (such as USA) may shift the age of Hep A from young children, where the disease is usually harmless, to adulthood in which it may be more serious.

FACT: No amount of Hepatitis vaccine will protect you if you ingest highly contaminated food or water. No one knows how long vaccine immunity lasts or if the Hepatitis vaccine is safe when given with other childhood vaccines.

As with all vaccines, Hep A and B vaccine is not 100% effective. VAERS reporting system have indicated a high proportion of "insufficient or negative antibody levels during testing for anti-HAs and Bs". What this means is that when blood antibody levels were tested to see if the vaccine was working, the antibody levels were inadequate or nonexistent. Approximately 12,000 adverse reactions were reported associated with Hep B and A vaccines betw. 7/1/90 & 11/7/94. Many of these reported reactions were from infants who received other vaccines at the same time. A large fraction of these reports were from adults who received only the Hep B vaccine and contracted Systemic Lupus following inoculation with Hep B vaccine.

If a serious vaccine adverse reaction occurs, and you decide to sue the drug company, the drug company lawyers will tell you in court that you were adequately warned in the "package insert" of adverse reactions. Parents begin your vaccine research with the vaccine package insert. Please obtain from doctor or pharmacist before you take your child in for their "scheduled" vaccination. "The Immunization Resource Guide" reviews more than 60 books covering all aspects of vaccinations. Published by Patter Publications - ISBN 0-9643366-1-8

HOMEOPATHY AND YOUR CHILD By Lyle W Morgan II Ph.D., H.M.D. has some excellent info on immunization and alternatives.

References: Grabenstein, J. D. Immunofacts: "Vaccines and Immunologic Drugs", and
Hepatitis, An overview by Dr. Kris Gaublomme, "The International Vaccination Newsletter" 3/95 issue.

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Last modified: May 11, 2001, Friday.