I went to a continuing ed class today on Vaccines. As a chiropractic student, I learned early on that the chiropractic community and vaccines have been at odds for many years. Through my initial years of practice, I read information here and there on vaccines and why they are potentially harmful, and how autism and vaccines are potentially linked. As I get closer to the opportunity of having my own children, I want to continue to learn more. I know several people who have asked me for information regarding vaccines, and I want to give the best and most accurate information I can, in as non-biased a way possible. I will continue to add to my random notes as I find out more information. Please feel free to contact me with specific questions/comments on any information you would like to share.
The most important way for a parent to know what is best for their child is to make informed decisions on vaccines. Call your doctor, ask for the vaccine manufacturer, look up the vaccine online and read the insert. I am relaying information that I have gathered through lectures and books and articles.
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Additives in vaccines:
Most pediatric vaccines have discontinued the use of the mercury derivative Thimerisol as a preservative. This substance is still used in the manufacture process of vaccines to keep vats, bottles, stoppers, etc clean and free of infectious disease. The vaccine is then “purified” of thimerisol, and can usually only be found in “trace” amounts. “Trace amounts” basically means that the manufacturer cannot quantitatively measure the exact amount. Most inserts will give you a phrase that states trace amounts is equal or lesser to xxx micrograms of the substance.
Adult and adolescent vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, still contain thimerisol as a preservative, especially in multi-dose vials.
If you receive the live-attenuated version of the flu shot (mist up your nose), thimerisol is generally not used, however, other preservatives, such as aluminum, might be.
Aluminum is still used in vaccines as an adjuvent, or additive, or preservative. The FDA regulates the amount of aluminum that can be directly injected into the blood stream to 25 micrograms/Liter of blood per day. However, the FDA does not regulate the amount of aluminum that goes into one dose of vaccine, because it is not directly injected into the blood vessels, but rather into the muscle and tissue of the arm, leg, or buttock. Many studies state that aluminum toxicity in vaccines is unknown at this time….
The average person ingests approximately 79 micrograms of aluminum on a normal day. This is because aluminum is the 3rd most common metal found in the earth’s crust. It is found in many of our daily foods, drinks, plants, and animals. The body will process and eliminate approximately 95% of this daily ingested aluminum…..if you have healthy, non-diseased, normally functioning kidneys. The amount of aluminum, when directly injected into the blood, that will cause neuro-toxicity (damage to the brain and nervous system) is 100 micrograms per liter in any given single daily dose. The average new born baby has approximately 1/3L of blood. As an example, the typical DTaP vaccine can have any where between 200 and 900 micrograms of aluminum per dose that will be injected into a child. In the state of Iowa, that is required 5 different times before they enter kindergarten.
The distribution pattern of aluminum when it enters the body is as follows:
Kidney –> spleen –> liver –> heart –> lymph nodes –> brain
The brain has a system in place to protect from foreign agents crossing into its blood supply called the blood brain barrier (BBB). In a study performed on rats, it was found that the blood brain barrier allowed approximately .0005% of aluminum to reach the blood supply to the brain. However, I will repeat, that the aluminum toxicity for vaccines is unknown at this time.
Some additional additives/preservatives to vaccines:
2- phenoxyethenol (a derivative of ethylene glycol)
Formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde; which, on a side note, is actually produced in the body itself and is quickly metabolized into less toxic substances. It is formed and metabolized in the synthesis of proteins as well as RNA and DNA in our cells. If you eat an apple, part of the process of breaking down that apple is formation of formaldehyde and formic acid.
Residuals (the mediums used to grow the live attenuated vaccines; ie chick embryos)
Sugar, Salt, albumin (a human blood protein – however, in most vaccines, they do not use albumin derived from humans, but derived from a synthetic-type process), bovine serum (nutrition needed for the live attenuated virus to stay alive and nourished), egg proteins, yeast proteins, MSG, etc
Adventitious Agents (known to cause potential secondary infections when the virus has been grown in some of the above mentioned residuals, especially proteins)
Stabilizers, antimicrobials, antibiotics, emulsifiers, surfactants
Side Effects to Vaccines:
This can be a somewhat controversial topic, as some vaccine manufacturers claim that some of the severe side effects can’t be linked to the vaccine itself. If you would like to do more specific research, go to the website for Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System (VAERS) http://vaers.hhs.gov All the data is due to passive reporting by parents, doctors, family and friends of people who have suspected reactions to vaccines. It is estimated that only about 10% of adverse effects get reported. If you think that you or your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor, patient has had an adverse effect, report it!! VAERS will confirm all reports. If it is unconfirmed, it will be in the database, if it is a confirmed reaction, it will be in the database, and if VAERS determines that the reaction had no link to the vaccine, they will remove it from the database. VAERS was implemented in 1986 with the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. To optimize your search, it is always best to narrow it down to the specific vaccine and combine it with either a filter of serious vs non-serious reactions, and vaccine type and symptoms of reactions. If you look up information on reported adverse reactions for a particular vaccine, pay attention to the ones that have been reported 500 or more times. Those are usually the most founded and most commonly linked, and more than likely most commonly confirmed adverse reaction.
“Normal” Side effects to a vaccine occur within the first 24 hours after the vaccine has been given, and will resolve itself within the next 24-48 hours. These can include: localized symptoms, such as tenderness, minor swelling of the injection site, redness, slight fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, body aches. Much like the disease itself (ie flu)
However, if you or your child experiences a fever over 103 degrees, rash, swelling of the arm, leg, body, excessive sleepiness with an inability to arouse from sleep, convulsions, mental and/or physical regression, high pitched screaming lasting for hours (classic sign of encephalitis, inflammation of the brain) – IMMEDIATELY go to the doctor and report the adverse reaction. These are not normal symptoms, no matter what your pediatrician/ER doctor will tell you.
You ARE able to request vaccines from your doctor that contain no preservatives, and are in single dose vials. If your doctor refuses, or acts like it is too much work, find a doctor that will agree with your request. I have a couple of referrals if anyone is interested.
At tidbit of information on the Gardasil (HPV/Cervical Cancer) Vaccine: This vaccine is made of what is called Recombinant DNA Technology, so it does not contain the actual virus material, but the same antigens as the HPV virus. Once vaccinated, the immunity gained from this immunization is ONLY 5 years. If you give your adolescent daughter the series of shots, by the time she becomes older and active, the immunity will have worn off. When infected, most healthy individuals will fight off and “cure” themselves of HPV within a couple of years. It is still extremely important to educate on prevention and yearly PAP smears for women of all ages who are sexually active.
Again, as this is information passed on from information I have gathered, please take the time to do the research and get the answers you are looking for, so you can make the best informed decision for you and your family. I was recommended books by some of my colleagues that have a wealth of information in them:
The Vaccine Book by Robert W. Sears MD
What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Children’s Vaccines by Stephanie Cave MD
Neil Z. Miller has written several books on vaccines
Evidence of Harm by David Kirby
On Facebook and Web:
Dr. Sherry Tenpenny
National Vaccine Information Center
VAERS
I hope this inspires your to continue to learn more about vaccines so you can make the informed decision. I will continue to post info as I learn more myself.
