The Controversies of Vaccines
Roselle Leone
24 Parkview Ave.
New Rochelle, NY 10805
Bio 5048.01
Dr. Cheung
April 28th, 2011
The benefits of small pox inoculation are a significant piece of history in the
world of immunology. Small pox was once an epidemic in the United States; however,
inoculation suppressed a decent portion of small pox in the early 1700s. Noteworthy
individuals in U.S. history, such as George Washington, supported inoculation. He had
his soldiers inoculated in 1777; before, more soldiers were dying from small pox than
war fatalities (Class Handout).
Despite the widespread support and clear benefits of inoculation, there was also
opposition. For example, Ben Franklin’s brother James was one who was strongly
opposed to inoculation. In addition to breaching religion, he felt that the procedure itself
was dangerous. Indeed it was. Inoculation required creating a cut and smearing a dried
scab or fresh pus containing the small pox virus into the cut. In a study at the time, 2 out
of 72 individuals died from the procedure; however, the others made a full recovery and
had life long immunity (Class Handout).
Eventually, inoculation was replaced with the safer method: vaccination, created
by Edward Jenner in 1796. Vaccines are substances used to stimulate the production of
antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases. It can be prepared from
part of a microbe or the whole microbe. The microbes are treated in a manner that makes
them unable to cause disease (National Institute of Allergy and infectious Diseases,
2008).
I understand that it cannot be argued vaccines have eradicated small pox and
tamed polio: two diseases that once consumed the lives of many; however, it seems that
the tools that were once saving lives are also infringing on our individual liberties and are
linked to some serious health complications.
Mandatory vaccination is an infringement of one’s individual liberty. Individual
liberty is defined a political philosophy that identifies the condition in which an
individual has the right to act according to his or her own will. The United States is a
country that has been built on freedom. People from all over the world have fled to the
United States because it has been built on the value of people over government; therefore,
it is only logical that the government should not have the right to mandate vaccination. If
we allow mandatory vaccination, the question, “where does government interference in
your personal choices stop?” becomes a very significant question of the values of our
country.
Mandatory vaccination is also an infringement of the first amendment. The first
amendment states:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances.”
This entitles citizens of the United States to freedom of religion; hence, freedom to refuse
mandatory vaccination if it is against their religious views.
Opposition from Christians has existed from the time of small pox inoculation.
The Christians felt that if God had decided that someone should die of smallpox, it would
be a sin to interfere with God's will via vaccination. Most of the religious opposition
today is on different grounds. The opposition now mostly deals with ethical difficulties
instead of God’s will. The cell culture media of some viral vaccines is a hot topic of
religious controversy. For example, the virus of the rubella vaccine is derived from
tissues taken from therapeutic abortions performed in the 1960s. The Vatican Curia has
stated concern about the rubella vaccine's embryonic cell origin. They have stated that
Catholics have an important responsibility to use alternative vaccinations and make
objections to vaccination that violate moral principles.
The correlations between various diseases and vaccines is controversial. Various
cases of autisms, Macrophagic myofasciitis, sudden infant death syndrome, peanut and
nut allergies, Guillain Barré syndrome and type 1 diabetes have been linked to
vaccinations.
The Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine is often blamed for the
development of autism. In 1997 an article published by British investigator, Andrew
Wakefield, he stated that a group of children developed signs of autism shortly after the
MMR immunization. He felt the MMR immunization inflamed the gut in a manner that
allowed for toxic substances to cross into the blood stream and stimulate the development
of autism. Many individuals support the link between MMR and autism; however, the
question to weather this relationship between MMR vaccination and autism is present or
just coincidence still remains (Duke University Health System, 2011).
Thimerosol, a mercury-based preservative, is also thought to be linked to the
development of autism. A case study on a little girl named Hannah Poling has opened up
the discussion of thimerosol’s link to autism (Wallis, 2008). Hannah Poling had a normal
birth and seemed to be developing normally until she received a group of vaccinations
containing thimerosol. After receiving her immunizations, Hannah fell severely ill and
developed symptoms consistent with autism: loss of words and eye contact, repetitive
behaviors and social withdrawal. Hannah’s situation seems to be consistent with many
children with autism; however, research has yet to find a link between thimerosol and
autism.
Despite lack of research linking thimerosol and autism, medical evaluators at the
Department of Health and Human Services concluded that Hannah’s vaccinations were
responsible for the development of her autism-like symptoms. Afterwards, federal
authorities provided compensation to Hannah’s family for the damage she had sustained
due to mandatory vaccination policies.
An important detail to note in this case, as with many others, is that underlying
disorders seemed to contribute to the development of autism after vaccination. The panel
that established the connection between Hannah’s development of autism-like symptoms
and vaccinations stated she had an underlying cellular disorder that was aggravated by
the vaccines; thus, causing brain damage that lead to autism-like symptoms (Wallis,
2008).
Adjuvants used in vaccines have been associated with various heath
complications. Products such as aluminum, used in adjuvants, are known toxins.
Macrophagic myofasciitis is a rare muscle disease that is most often associated with the
aluminum adjuvant of vaccines. In Macrophagic myofasciitis, macrophages deteriorate
the muscle tissue. Macrophagic myofasciitis was first reported in 1998; however, the
cause of the disorder remained a mystery until 2001. Various techniques including
electron microscopy, microanalytical studies, experimental procedures and
epidemiological study have demonstrated that the site of muscle degradation is consistent
with the site of injection of aluminum adjuvants used in vaccines (Gherardi, 2003).
Peanut and nut allergies have doubled during the same time frame the number of
immunizations have increased 50%. Now, it is estimated that 1.1% of children under the
age of 18 have peanut allergies (Lockwood, 2006). Many feel that high vaccination
compliance rates are responsible for the outburst of serve allergy development in
children. An epidemiological study done by Lockwood (2006) linked high vaccination
compliance rates to peanut allergies. This research project examined whether there was a
difference between the incidences of peanut allergies in a group of children with a
relatively low vaccination rate (80%) versus a group of children with a high vaccination
rate (99%), When Lockwood (2006) compared an Amish population in Lancester, PA to
the general population of the U.S., he found only1 person out of 6,000 with peanut
allergy. This demonstrates that this population, having a lower vaccination compliance
rate, had much lower rates of peanut allergies. Lockwood (2006) also examined 2
different elementary-middle school populations: Vashon and Ridgefield. The Vashon
population had a vaccination compliance rate of 80.2% and a peanut allergy rate of only
0.3%. The Ridgefield vaccination compliance rate > 99.9%, and a peanut allergy rate of
1.8%: 6x larger than that of Vashon. The increased peanut allergy rate in Ridgefield is
statistically significantly higher than that of Vashon (Lockwood, 2006).
The Diptheria- tatanus- pertussis (DTP) vaccine has been linked to Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS). Walker, et al (1987) focused on narrow time intervals following
DTP immunization. They found that the SIDS mortality rate 0-3 days following DTP is
7.3x greater than the control population.
Sweden banned the pertussis vaccine in 1979 because data indicted that the
vaccine, without aluminum, was ineffective. Data indicated the incidence of pertussis still
rose in Sweden, despite increased administration of the pertussis vaccine between 1963
and 1979 (ETHICA, 2011). Japan waits until 2 years of age because they feel vaccinating
an infant with these toxins too early is detrimental to their health. (ETHICA, 2011).
Sweden and Japan are attributed with the lowest rates of SIDS; this raises serious
concerns about the association between DTP and SIDS.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition that is thought to be triggered by
various factors, including vaccination. It is defined by the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke as a neurological disorder in which the body's
immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. In healthy individuals the
immune system only attacks foreign material and invasive organisms; however, in an
individual who has Guillain-Barré syndrome, the immune system begins to destroy the
myelin sheath that surrounds the axon nerves in many peripheral nerves. It is thought that
various vaccinations including H1N1, influenza, tetanus and Guardisil trigger the
development of the syndrome by altering mechanisms of the immune system in an
unknown manner.
The H1N1 vaccine was added to the list of possible causes of Guillain–Barré
syndrome after a mass vaccination during 1976-1977 took place using the A/New
Jersey/H1N1 vaccine. A significant increase in the individuals developing Guillain–Barré
syndrome as a result of the H1N1 vaccination became evident 6-8 weeks after the
vaccinations occurred (WebMD, 2011).
The seasonal influenza vaccination has also been attributed with the development
of Guillain–Barré syndrome. Geier et al. (2003) demonstrated links between acute and
severe Guillain–Barré syndrome. Between 1991 and 1999 there were 382 reports of
Guillain–Barré syndrome in the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System.
Development of Guillain–Barré syndrome occurred, on average, 12 days after
immunization. Geier et al. used the Limulus amebocyte assay to asses endotoxin
concentrations of various influenza vaccines to see endotoxin level was a factor in the
development of the disorder. Endotoxin analysis results were compared to the endotixin
levels of the tetanus diptheria vaccine, another vaccine suspected of causing Guillain–
Barré syndrome. Geier et al. (2003) revealed a 125-1250 fold increase in endotoxin
concentrations in the influenza vaccine in comparison to the tetanus diptheria
vaccination. It was concluded that the influenza vaccine’s endotoxin levels are linked to
Guillain–Barré syndrome. Individuals considering this optional vaccine should be well
informed about the risk factors of Guillain–Barré syndrome before making a decision. .
Additional vaccinations associated with Guillain–Barré syndrome include tetanus
and Guardisil (human papillomavirus vaccination). The Vaccine Safety Committee of the
Institute of Medicine published a report in 1993 stating evidence favored acceptance of a
causal relation between tetanus toxoid and Guillain–Barré syndrome (National Vaccine
Information Center, 2010). Since the FDA approved Guardasil in 2006, this vaccination
has been associated with triggering the development of Guillain–Barré syndrome in
young women (National Vaccine Information Center, 2010).
Physicians as early as 1949 have researched and provided evidence in the link
between the DTP vaccine and type 1 diabetes. Researchers feel the “Pertussis toxin” over
stimulates insulin production in islets of Langerhans Followed by exhaustion and
destruction of islets. Thus, leading to type 1 diabetes.
These previous disorders discussed are a few of the major examples of the
controversies related to health complications surrounding vaccines. Although the
government continues to mandate vaccinations because of the overwhelming benefits, the
presence of a federal no-fault system for vaccine-related injury or death continues to raise
doubts in vaccine safety. The U.S. Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was
established in 1980s after DTP vaccine scare; however, it continues to be funded through
a $0.75 duty tax on vaccines and has paid out over $1.7 billion paid out in court
settlements related to vaccine injury or death by 2008.
The U.S. Vaccine Injury Compensation Program does raise concern in many
individuals. In addition, the financial motive of many vaccine production companies
seems to concern people as well. Recent spike in vaccine market of Prevnar, Guardasil,
Pediarix have each earned over $1 Billion in 2008.
It is evident that vaccinations are a hot topic of controversy. It seems that there is
sufficient evidence to support both those who are opposed to vaccination and those who
support vaccination. It seems that the toxins found in vaccines including the pertussis
toxin, aluminum and mercury found in thimerosol are the main culprits for health
complications associated with vaccines. Despite the negativity associated with
vaccination, it is important to remember that vaccination has eradicated small pox and
greatly suppressed polio. In addition, vaccines can help prevent many acute and long-
term illnesses; however, it is important to understand the risks associated to make
informed decisions
Works Cited
Class handout on Vaccines
Coulter (2011). Childhood Vaccinations and Juvenile-Onset (Type-1) Diabetes.
http://www.whale.to/v/coulter.html (20th, Apr. 2011).
Duke University Health System (2011). Does the MMR Vaccine Cause Autism?
http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/advice_from_doctors/your_childs_health/mmr
_vaccine_and_autism) (19th, Apr. 2011).
ETHICA (2011). The pertussis vaccine case http://www.ethica.uib.no/pertussis.htm (20th,
Apr. 2011).
Geier,M.R., Geier, D.E., Zahalsky, A.C., Influenza vaccination and Guillain Barre
syndrome. http://www.thinktwice.com/gbs.pdf (21st, Apr. 2011).
Gherardi, R.K. (2003) Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a
vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12660567
(19th, Apr. 2011).
National Institute of Allergy and infectious Diseases (2008) What is a Vaccine?
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vaccines/understanding/pages/whatvaccine.aspx
(19th, Apr. 2011).
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2011) Guillian Barré Syndrome
Information Page http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/gbs/gbs.htm (21st, Apr. 2011).
Walker, A.M., Jick, H., Perera, D.R., Thompson, R.S., Knauss, T.A. (1987) Diphtheria-
tetanus-pertussis immunization and sudden infant death syndrome.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=walker%20dtp%20sids (20th, Apr. 2011).
Wallis, C. (2008) Case Study: Autism and Vaccines
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1721109,00.html (19th, Apr. 2011).