Talking Vaccine Science with Government: Why Do It?

by Barbara Loe Fisher

After the historic election in November that saw Barack Obama elected President, I wondered what he and his Administration would do about addressing the question that is on the minds of many parents: Why are so many vaccinated children today chronically ill, suffering with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, autism, asthma, diabetes and other brain and immune system problems? Would the Obama Administration acknowledge the importance of looking at whether national vaccine policies are having an unintended negative effect on a growing number of children and adopt a robust vaccine safety research agenda to answer outstanding questions?

Part of the answer came one day after the President took office, on January 21, when he sent a memo to the heads of all federal agencies and told them "My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation and collaboration."

The door is opening and there is a lot of work to be done. Concerned citizens getting involved will keep the participatory democracy process and work products truly transparent, collaborative and meaningful.

This Monday, March 16, there will be an open meeting in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the CDC to get input from the public about the kinds of scientific studies that should be included in the national vaccine safety research agenda.

At stake is a proposal by a vaccine stakeholder Writing Group that met in Salt Lake City last month to look at whether a study comparing the health of vaccinated and unvaccinated children should be included that evaluates whether there are pathological differences in brain and immune system development and function and whether there are biological high risk factors that place some children at higher risk than others for suffering vaccine reactions.

If you want to weigh in, this is an opportunity to make your voice heard either by showing up at the meeting, participating online or by conference call.

Who: National Vaccine Advisory Committee

Where: Department of Health and Human Services; Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 800; 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201

Why: To talk about the draft vaccine research agenda of CDC's Immunization Safety Office (ISO). Draft documents prepared by the vaccine stakeholder Writing Group that identify potential gaps in the ISO draft research agenda and proposes prioritization criteria for the agenda will be reviewed. These documents are available at: http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/PublicEngageme nt.html and include Writing Group Draft Statements on (1) Outcomes; (2) Gaps in the Research Agenda; and (3) Criteria for Assessing ISO Research Topic Priorities. Participants at the March 16 meeting will be asked to comment on potential gaps in the draft agenda and options for developing research priorities.

How to Attend: The meeting will be webcast and audio conferencing is available. Contact Kirsten Vannice (kirsten.vannice@hhs.gov if you want to come to the meeting or be hooked up by computer or phone. Draft agenda, call-in numbers, a link to the webcast and additional materials will be provided to registered participants and posted on the NVPO website in advance of the meeting.

Importance of Meeting: The government's scientific research agenda to investigate vaccine associated brain and immune system dysfunction among children is of great interest to a growing number of Americans living in every state who have children with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, autism, asthma, diabetes and other kinds of chronic illness.

The CDC held public engagement meetings in Birmingham, Ashland and Indianapolis in the past few months to ask citizens about their vaccine safety concerns. A vaccine stakeholder meeting in Salt Lake City Feb. 20-21 was also held, coordinated and facilitated by The Keystone Center, to create a suggested framework for setting national vaccine safety research priorities.

There are individuals, special interest groups and corporations opposed to a robust scientific research agenda addressing vaccine safety concerns that involve input from and participation by the public. Those who support both the participatory democracy approach to government policymaking, which is defined by government transparency and collaboration with the people, should consider attending in person, online or on the telephone to voice their concerns.

One way Americans can change government and government policies is by becoming activist citizens advocating for constructive change. President Obama's call for transparency, accountability and public engagement is an opportunity to stand up and make a difference by helping to reform government policy, such as vaccine policy, which affects the health of our children and grandchildren.

The power does belong to the people if the people will stand up and exercise it wisely.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Barbara,
Excellent opportunity for everyone. Thank you for sharing. Keep on keeping on!

Question: How many children have late on-set autism (around 18 months old) that were not vaccinated?

Anonymous said...

Barbara,
Thank you for sharing and reminding us of our responsibility.
Question: How many children have late on-set autism (around 18 months) that were not vaccinated?
Ann Millan

Anonymous said...

Barbara,
Thank you for sharing and reminding us of our responsibility.
Question: How many children have late on-set autism (around 18 months) that were not vaccinated?
Ann Millan

Mark Halpert "Success Coach" said...

We have met over 70 parents who claim that their child was normal until they were vaccinated -- and within 24 hours they were totally different -- and never recovered

This includes two educators and many very well respected friends and associates -- there is too much anecdotal evidence to ignore - if a good study has not been done -- then one should be

Rather than looking at a random study -- why not have professionals document let's say 1000 cases, where the child was normal until the vaccination and then within 24 hours there was a different child

There appears to be far too much evidence that something is wrong - but not enough evidence to convince physicians

Mark Halpert
3D Learner
Boca Raton, FL

Anonymous said...

If vaccinating all of Gods creatures both great and small wasn't going far enough for government and industry, NOW they tell us food must be modified (vaccinated) as well.

This is the basic concept of...
HR 875: SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the "Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009"

Is 'MODERNIZATION' another slick term for 'VACCINATION'. It's basically the same concept they pitch in pushing the never ending list of vaccines but this time for 'ORGANIC' food.

Raw almond farmers got a federal slap in the face when a federal judge told them what people have been doing for tens of thousands of years wasn't good enough and that's why the chemical companies (which are ALL vested in big Pharma and this bill) have to step in.

Why raw almonds? It is very very very well researched and documented that raw almond enzymes provide a vast pool of nutrition rarely found in any food. Nutrition FOR HEALING not just health, and that can NOT be tolerated by the people who are lobbing for this bill. This is only the tip of the iceberg. YOUR BACK YARD GARDEN IS THE TARGET AS WELL FOR 'MODERNIZATION'.

Why is this food bill liken to vaccines?

The politicians and their lobbyists claim that food must be 'modified' (vaccinated) in order to 'prevent' outbreaks of E. coli and Salmonella. Like so many lemons the government has sold us, it sounds reasonable but, it's junk science at it's best again.

The bill is intended to wipeout ORGANIC food. Even though the bill itself DOES NOT use the words 'organic food'. It is clearly the intent of the bill.

What does this have to do at all with vaccines?

People, especially people at a very young age, start eating this 'modernized' food in conjunction with all these 'modernized' vaccines the combination could result in literally changing the DNA of the human race into God only knows what, and if you research this you will find the claim is very scientifically sound in academics. We must act swiftly to defeat this draconian bill.

Full text version pdf of HR 875:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h875ih.txt.pdf

Anonymous said...

I want a full-scale, transparent scientific investigation into all potential environmental causes of autism and other chronic immune and brain disorders conducted by extramural researchers who are not connected to vaccine makers and policymakers with a bias toward existing policy.