Here’s the link to Arthur Allen’s excellent Slate article; he’s also written another article debunking the idea of an autism epidemic. Here’s the Blogfather’s post on the subject. Let me join them in lambasting this farcical nonsense.
Vaccination is the most important thing that I do as a pediatrician. Absolutely, positively, bar none. Small pox – the disease estimated to have killed 300-500 million people in the 20th century and largely responsible for wiping out the First Nations of America in the 18th and 19th centuries – has been eliminated except for a few lab specimens. Polio, the horrific crippler of millions, is on its way to being eradicated. I’ve never seen congenital rubella or measles. Even chicken pox is now on its way to rare obscurity – I only saw 2 or 3 cases while I was in training. Vaccines are supremely effective preventative measures that have made infectious disease a relatively uncommon cause of death in this country. Thus, all of my children are vaccinated.
The only reason parents with unvaccinated children get away with it is by taking advantage of the “herd immunity” built up by everyone that has vaccinated their children. However, by not vaccinating their children, they chip away at that herd immunity and increase the risks for everyone that an outbreak will become established in the population. In other words, aside from putting their own children in jeopardy, the anti-vaccination crowd also increases the risks for everyone else. Exhibit A – the recent mumps outbreaks in Iowa and the U.K. (scroll to the end of the mumps article for discussion of recent outbreaks).
Have there been cases of vaccine-associated encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)? Yes. They are exceedingly rare … literally one in a million or less. Most were associated with the old whole-cell DPT vaccine that’s no longer in use in this country. Most vaccine side effects are mild and quite tolerable (irritability, tenderness at the site of injection, low grade fever lasting 1-2 days). The recent development of various combination vaccines has reduced the number of injections necessary. On the other hand, if you contract measles (for example), your chances of getting encephalitis with permanent neurological sequelae are 1 in 100 1 in 1000 and your chances of dieing are 1 in 1000 1-3 in 1000 (or 10-50 in 1000 if you’re malnourished or immunosuppressed). In the most recent major measles outbreak in the United States (1989-1991), there were over 55,000 cases and 123 deaths – so 1 in 447 died despite the modern medical interventions available [italicized corrections and clarifications added 7/3/07].
One of the pediatricians I trained with in St. Louis came from a very successful, professional family. Her father was an oncologist, her mother a lawyer. She was a developmental pediatrician (specializing in the treatment of Autism, among other developmental disorders). Her siblings are all well-educated professionals, except her brother. He was the smartest one of the bunch … until he contracted measles in the pre-vaccine era and developed encephalitis. Now he is mentally retarded and will never live independently. Where do you think she stands on the vaccine debate?
One of the leading proponents of the original MMR-Autism link was a British gastroenterologist named Andrew Wakefield. To my knowledge, all the other initial proponents of that now-debunked link (based on findings in only 12 children and published in the Lancet in 1998; the actual article requires registration and login) have since recanted in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence.
Not Wakefield – he’s sticking to his guns, and profiting handsomely from it. He’s now working at an institute down in Austin, Texas. They charge $390 per hour consultation fees (not covered by insurance and not including costs of their “treatment” and lab testing) to hawk unproven mega-vitamin and detoxification regimens. They also recommend 20-40 hours per week of intensive ABA (applied behavior analysis) and other behavioral therapies that are proven to help with Autism. If the kids treated at this snake-oil institute improve, that’s why … the intensive behavioral therapy, not the thousands of dollars of vitamins and voodoo medicine that they sell to them. Feh!
There is no credible link between Autism and vaccination, the vaccine preservative thiomersal or environmental mercury. It’s all baseless, hysterical voodoo that’s dissuading thousands of Americans from participating in vaccination, one of the greatest medical miracles of the last century.
29 responses so far ↓
1
A smart person
// Jul 2, 2007 at 7:45 am
Okay, injecting mercury into people is good, and it causes no damage. Nice try.
2
MaryAnna
// Jul 2, 2007 at 11:11 am
Riddle me this doctor –
Why is mercury damaging to us in all other cases, save vaccines?
Why do we have 1 in 150 children diagnosed as autistic, and another parent hears the news every 20 minutes?
Why were diseases going DOWN when vaccines were introduced, and then the vaccination community took credit for it all?
Why are we swimming in people with Alzheimer’s, ALS, Down’s syndrome, Autism, Parkinson’s, etc., you name, we have it in today’s society?
Why do doctor’s such as yourself think that vaccination is the key to everything, when the real answer is prevention?
Why do you continue to inject innocent children with toxic substances, and then tell the parents that the death of their child (SIDS, menengitis (sp), etc) right after their vaccines was just a coincidence?
Why do doctor’s like you continue to buy into the lie that vaccines are saving us — when common sense shows us otherwise?
Why are children overweight, ADD and asthmatic, in numbers never before seen in society?
Why are our children the first era to be predicted to have a shorter life span than their parents?
To be sure it can’t all be blamed on vaccines — there is also the toxic foods we’re feeding our kids. THe toxins in our building materials. The toxins in the air and in our water, the toxins in the clothes we put on their backs and the chemicals we use to clean our houses and wash their clothes.
But vaccines are where it starts, both in the developing fetus and in the mother having the child.
Pull your head out of the sand and join us in fighting these indignities pushed into our innocent kids so that pharma companies can make billions.
Signed,
A mother with a vaccine injured child!
3
Knight in Dragonland
// Jul 2, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I could spend days putting together a scientifically documented refutation of every point you made above, MaryAnna … but I would be wasting my time. I’m sorry that your child developed juvenile arthritis, but it has nothing to do with the vaccines she received.
I will, however, challenge your logic by quoting from your own blog, from the entry of May 24:
How amy I supposed to take you seriously when you’re insistent to the point of hysteria regarding the “damage” supposedly caused by vaccines, but yet so blasé about children dieing due to vaccine preventable illnesses?
4
admin
// Jul 2, 2007 at 10:24 pm
I’d also like to point out that the increase in diagnosed cases is explained by:
1. Increased awareness.
2. Expanded definition of autism.
3. A desire by many that their child be diagnosed because of the financial benefits.
5
knightindragonland
// Jul 3, 2007 at 8:15 am
Well, as long as we’re mentioning those darn annoying facts, we could also bring up that the TONS of methyl-mercury dumped over several decades into the Shiranui Sea near Minamata, Japan did not lead to a syndrome even remotely similar to autism. In those it didn’t kill, the mercury poisoning produced features similar to cerebral palsy rather than autism. This decades-long massive level of mercury poisoning did kill several thousand people, but not the millions you would have expected if the microgram amounts of mercury released from thiomersal-containing vaccines were as toxic as the vaccine-haters claim.
Speaking of thiomersal (a.k.a. thimerosal) … it also had another name: merthiolate. It was used as a topical antiseptic in the U.S. for YEARS. Many of our parents and grandparents had the stuff slathered on them every time they got a cut or a scrape as a child. It was also used in nose sprays and other medicated solutions as well as vaccines. Why didn’t those previous generations suffer from an autism “epidemic”???
And by the way … thiomersal has been removed from vaccines used in the U.S., and there’s been no corresponding decrease in the autism rate after close to 10 years.
Riddle me that.
6
jenjw4
// Jul 3, 2007 at 9:19 am
KiD,
Thanks for tackling this difficult topic. The Slate article was interesting; even the reader comments at the end were very good.
MaryAna, a few things to think about:
There are many substances that are helpful in small doses, but harmful in larger quantities. I don’t find it surprising that a form of mercury, in a very small quantity, could be harmless.
It’s difficult to compare this generation with previous ones. People in previous generations that might have died in their 60’s from heart disease, cancer, etc, are now often living into their 80’s and beyond, so, of course, there will be more people suffering from diseases that usually affect the very old.
Childhood conditions of ADD, asthma and obesity are impossible to pinpoint to one cause. Doesn’t it seem more likely that ADD is being better diagnosed? That obesity is caused by poor diet and lack of exercise?
As far as vaccinations leading to meningitis and autism… just because two things happen closely in time, it doesn’t mean one caused the other. As Dr. Dean Edell (sp?) illustrates the idea of cause vs. correlation: “9 out of 10 people who were in a traffic accident had french fries within the last 24 hours.” Does this mean eating french fries causes traffic accidents? No, just that lots of people eat fries and lots of people drive. Relating that to autism, a diagnosis of autism might come at a time shortly after an MMR vaccine, but that doesn’t mean the two are related.
MaryAna, you seem very angry. I hope you find peace in your situation and I’m really, truly sorry that your child has suffered.
Jennifer
7
knightindragonland
// Jul 3, 2007 at 10:08 am
Coincidence and causation are frequently confused … very good point, Jen. Everybody is breathing oxygen before they die … the oxygen did it! Boycott oxygen!!!
8
Eyebrows McGee
// Jul 3, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Good lord. I’ve never seen such a bucketfull of ignorance and nonsense in my life as MaryAna’s post.
As for why diseases were already going down when vaccines were introduced? The 20th century was the century of PUBLIC HEALTH. Things like, you know, sewers and wastewater treatment. Far greater understanding of disease transmission vectors. Better treatments, including antibiotics, for various illnesses. Disease was going down due to the efforts of the same fine people who brought you vaccines — the public health doctors and nurses and workers who protect us from disease every instant of every day with things so simple we take them for granted.
And Eyebrows has autism in her family, so Eyebrows takes personally the kind of idiocy that leads to precious research and treatment dollars going to witch hunts and wild goose chases by people who fail to have even a basic grasp of science. Just sayin’.
9
Tony
// Jul 3, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I don’t know Eyebrows… I think we have seen posts on the local blogosphere that were bigger tub of poo than MaryAna’s. Dr. KiD do you concur?
10
knightindragonland
// Jul 3, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Someone the three of us have all had a run-in with, Tony? Careful … don’t mention his name! He’ll call your employer or religious authority figure to report your bad behavior!
11
justiceblogofamerica
// Jul 3, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Maybe he will and I’ll get fired. Sweet unemployment! Woo Hoo!
12
Shannon
// Jul 3, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Maybe this was wrong, but when the mumps outbreak happened in Iowa I seem to remember that most of those afflicted had actually received the MMR vaccinne?
Also, the chicken pox vaccinne is already showing weaknesses and a need for a booster shot, and it appears it doesn’t actually provide lifetime immunity. And from what I’ve read (and I’m sure you would know better) possible complications from chicken pox and related diseases have a much higher risk at an older age than at a younger one. The other thing that bothers me about this vaccinne is how it’s now led to popular “chicken pox” parties. I’m not saying the two are the same, but it does remind me a bit of the lengths some women used to go to when they didn’t have a choice about abortion. Without choice, people sometimes make decisions that may not be in the best interest of their or in this case, their children’s health.
Having said all of that, I should say my children are mostly vaccinnated. I have chosen to delay a few of them until they are older, which I believe to be a personal choice. And truly, that is, in my opinion – part of the real issue. Our state makes it very difficult for parents to make decisions about their children’s healthcare (assuming you plan to enroll them in school) and especially as a first-time mother I often felt pressured to just comply and not dare question any doctors. You’ve made a very intimidating stance on things yourself here, declaring vaccinations as the single most important thing you do as a pediatrician. When I asked to discuss a particular shot with the ped. first, one nurse literally raised her eyebrows and sighed at me. It is very intimidating and overwhelming and I fully understand why some parents choose not to vaccinnate at all rather than take chances with something they don’t fully understand. Especially when you are faced with giving children so many different shots over so many years. Dr. Tosi even pointed out to me once how much simpler this all was when I was a baby and there were only two shots to get.
As for trying to find a cause for Autism and autism spectrum disorders, I have read some very compelling information on early cord clamping. This is not more crazy, voodoo talk… and I’m not saying it’s the magic pill, but there is actual medical documentation that has even changed the way a midwife and doctor team at Northwestern are practicing. Medicine, like all fields, is constantly changing and we are always learning more and trying to do better. I don’t think it’s inherently wrong for non-medically trained people to ask questions and be critical of answers they get and then try to make the decision that is best for them.
13
knightindragonland
// Jul 4, 2007 at 1:24 am
Shannon,
The outbreak in Iowa was initiated by un-vaccinated carriers and then spread to individuals who were non-responders to the MMR or had received only one of the two recommended doses. It did raise some concerning red flags that immunity to Mumps may wane with time. Of course that wouldn’t be an issue at all if every child was adequately vaccinated and we eliminated the disease from the population completely. THEN we could do away with the immunization entirely, just as we did with smallpox (with the exception of recent bio-weapons scares).
A major component of the effectiveness of all vaccines is their ability to reduce the prevalence of the given pathogen within the population – the “herd immunity” concept I mentioned in my post – even if they’re not 100% effective within a given individual. Humans are highly genetically variable, and our reactions to treatment are also highly variable. Even with the most effective vaccines (like the MMR), there are still individuals who won’t produce the necessary protective immune response.
The varicella (chicken pox) vaccine is not as effective as some others … I believe it’s about 85% effective with a single dose. Even with that level of protection, due to herd immunity, chicken pox rates have plummeted. However, the ACIP has recognized the lower effectiveness of a single varicella vaccination and has now recommended that a second dose be given at age 4-6 years or at the first available opportunity for older children.
The chiseling away at herd immunity is why I have a big problem with non-vaccination – it hijacks the benefits of the vaccination of others and avoids the (albeit exceedingly small) risks while at the same time increasing the risks to people who did decide to vaccinate their children. How is that fair??? I’m sorry if that opinion is intimidating, but it’s honest. I’m not going to soft-pitch on this issue … I feel it’s THAT important.
I have no problem with questions. I encourage questions. There are few other issues where I come down this firmly – I often tend to over-explain the pros and cons of various treatments and procedures – but the benefit of vaccination is clear.
Immunization IS the most important thing that I do on a daily basis in my practice. Otherwise, on most days, I’m treating ear infections, rashes and gastroesophageal reflux. It is a luxury that I spend most of my time dealing with these relative trivialities while my colleagues a century past had to deal with life-threatening diseases on an almost daily basis with very little in their armamentarium to deal with them other than quarantine. MILLIONS were once slaughtered and crippled by vaccine preventable diseases.
There are starting to be some vaccines that are directed against diseases that – at least in this country – are more an individual nuisance and significant overall economic burden than a real threat to human life. Chicken pox vaccination is not in that category, despite what many people think (with that ignorance demonstrated by the “chicken pox parties” you mentioned). Varicella produces frequent bacterial complications (requiring antibiotic intervention, increasing the burden of antimicrobial resistance) and on rare occasions can also produce an encephalitis (brain inflammation). It can also have tragic consequences for pregnant women.
The new rotavirus vaccine is a better example. Very few children die from rotavirus (which causes gastroenteritis – “stomach flu”) in this country – perhaps a few hundred each year out of millions of infections. Still, even with simple and effective treatments (oral rehydration or IV fluids), the disease is still a significant burden on our healthcare system. The vaccine has had some of the most extensive pre-marketing studies done on any vaccine to date, and it now has one year of post-marketing data to support its efficacy and safety. The vaccine has the added benefit that it’s oral and not another injection. Weighing these factors, along with ACIP and AAP endorsement, I’ve now added it to my recommended vaccination schedule.
I don’t make these recommendations lightly or frivolously, and I’m never cavalier with the life – or even simply the discomfort – of a child. I couldn’t come home and face my own children otherwise.
14
Shannon
// Jul 4, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I thought the rotavirus vaccine was pulled from the market? That was the last I had heard about it, although it has admittedly been some time since I’ve had to discuss vaccinations. I think this constant coming and going of things is part of the culture of distrust and it’s why many parents, myself included, try to stick to only the required vaccinations. If there weren’t so many that were required, then I might take a harder look at the others and consider them more seriously. The powerful lobby connection between the drug companies and legislators is also another issue that causes distrust although very rarely seems to get any mainstream media attention.
Furthermore, I have never understood why more shots are not just offered in a separate form. Instead, we now lump six or seven together and call it “progress” when truly the objection most parents have to many vaccinations is how they are lumped together. If you research why people choose not to have the MMR given to their child, very often it is because it is a combination and if it were truly available in a separate form there would be no question. I know there is no medical evidence that says combining them raises any risks, but what would be the harm in dividing them up? Certainly, it would result in a “win” for those who want to see children vaccinated and it would help those parents who have personal, gut-level reservations about that particular shot. I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that it’s a question of money.
My husband and I discussed this at length last night. I can’t imagine what it’s like to work in a profession where there is no room for error. I think it’s unfortunate that we don’t allow doctors – especially young doctors – more freedom to learn and make mistakes. I think what we have created is a medical culture that does not allow for questioning or second-guessing, ever. I can’t imagine what that is like, having spent most of my professional career in a job that gets critiqued and questioned every time I put my work out there. It’s very unfortunate in that it often sets up an “us vs. them” mentality. Ask any mother who has taken her child to the pediatrician lately or any woman who has visited an OBGYN for a prenatal appt. It’s hard not to feel rushed and railroaded, and it’s usually much easier to just go along than try to voice any personal feelings or opinions. And please don’t feel like I’m blaming the medical professionals for this, I realize they are overburdened with crammed patient loads and liability concerns. We obviously have different perspectives, but I’m just sharing what I hear at my moms’ group meetings, on internet message boards, and in talking to my best friends.
I’m not really trying to argue with you… just wanted to point out that there are intelligent, educated, thinking people who have real concerns about vaccines and simply saying it’s the most important thing you do and you vaccinate your own children doesn’t help quell those fears for everyone. I’m glad that couple has managed to take their case so far, because I think it opens up an important dialogue on both sides of the issue. I hope that as a doctor, it has you thinking about more effective ways to reach all of your parents in communicating your message about vaccines. And I hope that those who choose not to vaccinate will open their ears and hearts to the message of those who do and not turn a blind eye out of intimidation and unreasoned fear.
15
knightindragonland
// Jul 4, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Rotashield was pulled off the market about ten years ago. Rotateq is a completely different vaccine.
Most people vaccinate their children according to the ACIP/AAP recommendations, so most people would rather that their child have FEWER injections and less pain. Thus, there is a huge demand for combination vaccines. I’m sorry, but we would be wasting valuable resources to develop both individual and combination vaccines to accommodate everyone’s preferences. Frankly, my opinion is that the best thing for the children is that they get vaccinated with the fewest number of injections to minimize pain and discomfort.
I may joke about enjoying cruelty to children, but I really don’t LIKE to jam needles in them if I don’t have to. That’s one reason I like the new oral rotavirus vaccine, and there will be expanded indications and a new formulation for the nasal flu vaccine this upcoming season.
As far as feeling rushed and railroaded in the doctor’s office … we need to change the way that physicians are paid for their services. As it is now, our compensation is based entirely on volume, not quality. We LOSE MONEY on vaccination. There are extended service codes for prolonged counseling to parents, but the insurance companies will often deny those charges. Even if they pay for extended service, a physician’s compensation is much greater if they see three patients in 40 minutes vs. staying the whole 40 minutes with one patient and charging for extended service. So you get “slam, bam, thank you ma’am” medicine.
That’s why I chose a salaried position where I’m employed by the medical group (Progressive Health Systems, in my case). I have some pressure to maintain a certain minimum volume, but it’s a lot less pressure than if I was self-employed. It also allows me to maintain a practice with 85-90% Medicaid.
16
Shannon
// Jul 4, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Well, we’ll agree to disagree on the combination vaccines. As a mother, I will never feel comfortable injecting things into my children and injecting several at one time does not ease my fears, it heightens them. I know I’m not alone in this and the marketing person in me sees a huge untapped market for this, but it doesn’t appear it’s going to happen anytime soon.
I agree with you that oral vaccines definitely have their appeal, although I’ve found that my children rarely even respond to the pain of the injections, as I’m often holding them, their hands, or even nursing them through the shot. Given the choice, I would still take more shots over fewer shots with more things in them any day.
While we may be a minority voice, I can say that a number of people who express reservations over or delay vaccines do so specifically because of the combinations and a desire to spread out the exposures rather than lump them into one. The skeptic in me would also wonder if combination vaccines aren’t more convenient for drug makers in that they make it harder to identify exactly which vaccine is causing a negative reaction, no matter how minor? I don’t have firsthand experience but I have heard from others that actually taking the time to officially report negative vaccine reactions is already time-consuming and difficult at best. Beth Seidel, the LC at your hospital, has a very interesting story about this – ironically I believe it also involves the MMR.
As for the rotavirus, I must have my facts wrong but I’ll do more research on that. A quick google search found the new vaccine does have an FDA warning on but the problems associated with the vaccine weren’t definitely linked to it, from what I could find.
This has been an interesting topic. But I do have to say that while I feel I’ve made researched and reasoned decisions, there is a part of me that fears the people who don’t vaccinate at all may actually be right. It reminds me of how the women of the 1950’s and 1960’s who breastfed their children were often ostracized and viewed as radicals who ignored the clearly superior formula devised by medicine. It hasn’t taken very long for us to reverse our judgment on that, so it just makes me wonder.
That’s all I’m saying!
LOL!
17
knightindragonland
// Jul 5, 2007 at 8:43 am
Our immune systems respond to hundreds if not thousands of antigens every day of our lives. It’s what our immune system does. It’s what it’s there for. When you contract any illness, you are exposed to EVERY antigen on the pathogen … dozens for the smallest of viruses, thousands to millions for bacteria.
From Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the premier children’s hospitals in the country:
The idea that combining vaccinations is more harmful than a single immunization is not valid. Each combination vaccine has been studied separately from its individual components, and post-marketing surveillance on MILLIONS of doses has not revealed any concerns.
As far as protecting the health of children, vaccination is a million times more important than breastfeeding. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of many illnesses in childhood … it may even save a few lives every year.
Every year, vaccination saves THOUSANDS from death, paralysis and permanent brain injury. There’s just no comparison. Unfortunately it will take the next pandemic before many people wake up to that realization.
18
knightindragonland
// Jul 5, 2007 at 12:09 pm
I think the major problem here is that vaccination is a victim of its own success. We live in a world that has been UTTERLY TRANSFORMED by vaccination. Before vaccination, everyone knew someone crippled by polio. Everyone knew about the neighbor who died from pertussis or diphtheria. Everyone knew the boy who “just wasn’t right” since his measles infection. They experienced quarantines, where we literally locked the sick away to die in order to protect the rest of the population. When that guy with multi-drug resistant TB was quarantined recently, it was the first time public health officials had ordered a quarantine in 40 years.
19
Shannon
// Jul 5, 2007 at 5:45 pm
You say – “The idea that combining vaccinations is more harmful than a single immunization is not valid.”
I’ve already said I understand where medicine stands on this issue… the point I was making had to do with my gut instincts, feelings, and personal comfort level as a mother. I am interpreting what you just said to mean that my personal feelings are not “valid.” I’m still hoping it’s not what you meant.
20
Michelle
// Jul 5, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I have to respecfully disagree with you, Knight. Breastfeeding is much more valuable than you have indicated. You say it “may even save a few lives each year.”
Speaking globally: >
In this country, where we have antibiotics, IVs and all the other tools of modern medicine readily available, formula fed babies don’t often die — but they sometimes do. The death rate is higher among formula-fed babies. The rate of illness is dramatically higher for babies fed formula vs babies who are exclusively breastfed.
We as a society are quite comfortable using guilt and other strong measures to enforce vaccination, car seat use, keeping babies away from cigarette smoke, etc. But we are completely uncomfortable telling parents that a decision not to breastfeed has any negative consequences. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the sad fact that there are some cases in which women are unable to nurse for one reason or another. Nobody would want to make such a mother feel bad. But we shouldn’t pussy-foot around the formula vs breastmilk question. We should tell parents the truth about the disadvantages of using formula and we should only recommend its use when it’s the best option available — as it sometimes (but rarely) is.
I’m extremely thankful that I was able to exclusively nurse both of my children. I know it made a difference for them.
21
Michelle
// Jul 5, 2007 at 6:07 pm
I don’t know why this quote didn’t show up in my post.
I’ll try it again.
Speaking globably:
– “Research shows that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months – with continued breastfeeding for the first year – could save 1.3 million lives every year,†says Miriam Labbok, UNICEF Senior Advisor on Infant and Young Child Feeding.–
22
knightindragonland
// Jul 6, 2007 at 7:37 am
Shannon,
I make no statements regarding emotional validity – only scientific. I understand why many parents have trepidations given the volume and stridency of misinformation flying around out there.
Michelle,
Yes … I agree with what you say if we’re speaking globally. In my previous comment I was speaking in terms of the United States, where using formula is hardly deadly. In countries where they don’t have good sanitation, formula can be dangerous because it’s mixed with dirty water and promotes diarrheal illness – one of the leading causes of death in childhood. However, if you’re trying to make an argument of equivalence between the protection provided by breastfeeding and the protection provided by vaccination, I strongly disagree.
In developing countries the specter of infectious disease is still omnipresent and childhood is still a dangerous and frightening time. Yes, promoting breastfeeding in the developing world could be lifesaving – although most mothers in those countries have no other option anyway. However, vaccination has easily saved a hundred times as many lives, and could yet save more. Small pox killed up to half a billion people in the 20th century. It now kills zero. On the other hand, based on WHO data, measles killed 345,000 worldwide in 2005 and pertussis killed 294,000 in 2002 – even with close to 80% worldwide vaccine coverage. Neither of those diseases are effectively treatable except symptomatically, but both are preventable with vaccination.
23
Shannon
// Jul 6, 2007 at 11:54 am
Knight,
With all due respect… you are still not hearing what I’m saying. Gut feelings have nothing to do with “misinformation” flying around. It just doesn’t feel natural to me, as a mother, no matter what kind of science for or against I may hear. Honestly, I feel like I’m beating my head against a wall on this one so I’ll just move on.
As far as breastfeeding goes, there are still cases of infants in the U.S. who die every year as a direct result of formula feeding. Furthermore, we know that breastfeeding helps prevent (or formula causes, depending on how you look at it…) many illnesses or afflictions that cannot be prevented by vaccines – among them ashtma, childhood obesity, leukemia, juvenile diabetes, etc…
I would argue that effective education about the importance of breastfeeding – and more importantly the dangers of formula feeding – is at least as important a tool in promoting child health and welfare as a reliable vaccination program, even here in our country. Someone once told me that a pediatrician who doesn’t actively promote breastfeeding, understand its full benefits and potential for helping the health of our society, and actively work to discourage formula feeding – does not understand the very basic building blocks of human health. However, until doctors stop accepting free gifts from formula companies (and I have seen them firsthand so I know exactly what they are) AND stop accepting free formula to pass out to new mothers, we are miles away from the CDC’s breastfeeding goal for 2010 and continue to laugh in the face of the WHO Code on the ethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
I would argue that in terms of actual compliance and potential impact on the health of our society, formula feeding is a topic on which any pediatrician should feel strongly. I would venture a guess that many more people choose formula than choose not to vaccinate their children, but we continue to fuel the myth that formula feeding really is an equal substitute for breastfeeding.
At the very least, I think breastfeeding should rank right up with vaccinations. Like Michelle said, I think you are far underestimating the importance of breastmilk.
24
grysmom
// Jul 6, 2007 at 4:28 pm
I have a question, not trying to start more arguments. I was told that the rubella titar (sp?) is much higher in some children with autism. It was believed that their immune system went nuts and the high rubella titar caused the symptoms of autism. I knew of a child that was in a FDA study to try to lower that by using an experimental medication. He was 10 at the time, so in my opinion, it was a little late to reverse the brain damage. What I am asking is, is this correct information or am I remembering it incorrectly?
As for the mercury issues….my family coated us in merthiolate (Macurachrome if it was something open because merthiolate burned!!) I was orange all of my childhood from cuts and scrapes being painted!! LOL I have to say, I never had an infection and Macurachrome
sure took the soreness out. I understand in my brain that putting murcury on is supposed to be dangerous, but part of me longs for the old Macurachrome!!! BTW I also used to play with a babyfood jar of mercury that my grandpa had in his garage. I remember chasing all of the little balls around the garage floor. My fingers have not fallen off yet, but I am expecting it at any time!! LOl
25
knightindragonland
// Jul 6, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Shannon,
Wow. I was simply trying to carry out a debate based on the facts as I know them regarding vaccination. I do support breastfeeding – I just don’t think it’s health promoting properties (which I don’t deny) outweigh the overwhelming sea-change in healthcare brought about by vaccination. However, since I’ve apparently offended you to the point that you’re now accusing me of being in the pocket of the formula companies and a bad pediatrician, I’m just going to stop addressing you on these issues.
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Shannon
// Jul 6, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Actually, that wasn’t what I meant at all. But apparently I’ve insulted your intelligence and you’ve insulted mine. Despite our disagreement, I think perhaps the real probelm is that you and I are too similar – unwilling to step down from something we believe very pasionately in. Maybe we’re just at a draw.
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knightindragonland
// Jul 7, 2007 at 11:07 am
Grysmom,
I haven’t heard about any connection between rubella (German measles) and autism. Rubella was only dangerous if the mother contracted it during her pregnancy. Those who developed congenital rubella syndrome (as 20,000 infants did in the mid-1960s during a rubella epidemic) often had autistic behaviors and mental retardation along with heart defects, cataracts, deafness and other medical problems.
The link proposed by Wakefield and his group in 1998 connected regressive autism with GI problems and the measles virus. This was in a study of only 12 children (and only 9 of those met the criteria for autism). Their group claimed to find measles genetic material in biopsies from the GI tract of these children, and then somehow made the magical leap in thinking that this was the cause of all their problems. One other group was able to replicate their findings, but several others were not. Ten of the 13 authors on that 1998 study retracted their findings in 2004. Not Wakefield – he’s probably made himself a millionaire by bilking desperate families with his snake oil.
There are many voodoo groups out their, including Wakefield’s, claiming to be able to “detoxify” your child – for thousands and thousands of dollars and no proven benefit. Usually they target toxins like mercury for their “therapy”, not viruses.
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A Knight in Dragonland » More Thoughts On Breastfeeding & Vaccination
// Jul 10, 2007 at 10:24 pm
[...] on this post at Pointlessly Hypertechnical. There are also connections to comments made in an earlier discussion on my [...]
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// Aug 29, 2009 at 4:23 pm
[...] GreenerWorking.com » Blog Archive » Like it or not, climate change is here and CO2’s the culpritA Knight in Dragonland » Slate and the Pundit Attack Autism-Vaccine Voodoo [...]
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