Strollerderby : measles

Bad Science: How The Autism Vaccine Scare Snowballed

Kate Tuttle — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:31:00 GMT

Jenny McCarthy as an activist, "Green Vaccines," death threats against pro-vaccine doctors, deadly measles outbreaks: all sprang from one source, a flawed medical study with a tiny sample size, a lead author willing to fudge the facts, and a story the media found too fascinating to fully examine.

Writing in this week's Newsweek magazine, Sharon Begley lays out the timeline of what would become one of the biggest medical fairy tales of the past decade -- a narrative of corrupt pharamaceutical companies, poisoned children, and devoted parents. Too bad it wasn't, you know, true.

As is now clear, the study published in the Lancet medical journal back in 1998 linking the MMR vaccine to autism (via intestinal problems) was just plain bad science. The study looked at only twelve children, for one thing. Worse yet, the lead doctor, Andrew Wakefield, fudged the facts. A decade later, ten of the twelve co-authors have disavowed the research they published, but as Begley's story made clear, at the time the media and public found Wakefield and his findings not only trustworthy, but revolutionary. And he wasn't alone; in 2000 U.S. Representative Dan Burton chaired a congressional hearing to look into the connection, and TV's 60 Minutes gave it the old expose treatment. It wasn't hard to paint parents as heroes (because so frequently they are, even when their facts are wrong), nor to deride the drug companies as villains (because, again, they often are). A story so delicious has a tendency to rob the media of its hallowed skepticism -- how else to explain the major coverage of a study of 12 kids, when subsequent studies (such as one at Boston University that looked at two million children) showed zero relationship between the MMR and autism.

The story rode a wave of parental anxiety and media hype so big that it caused actual changes in behavior around vaccination -- and here's where, I think, Wakefield and his ilk bear some major culpability. As vaccination rates went down and outbreaks broke out, children died of easily preventable diseases. And despite the frequent exhortation from anti-vaccine crusaders to "follow the money" in looking at relationships between doctors and pharmaceutical companies, I'd love to see more digging into Wakefield's financial stake in the autism industry (he was officially sanctioned for misconduct in having hidden the financial support he had received from parents of children with autism before undertaking the 1998 study, and now makes his living running a center that claims to cure autism).

The recent ruling by a special court that declared no connection between autism and vaccines has settled the legal question, for now. As for what happens in the court of public opinion, it's clear that's a far more complicated matter. The anguish felt by parens of autistic kids is real, as is the desire of every parent to protect her child. Let's hope that getting past the vaccine witch-hunt will free up more energy toward finding causes, cures and treatments for peope with autism.

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They Say -- Vaccines Work

Brett Singer — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

We do a lot of stories on Babble about the potential dangers of vaccines, and about people who are trying to raise awareness of those dangers. Nothing wrong with that. But sometimes it’s a good idea to show the other side of things.

A recent article in U.S. News and World Report points out that deaths from measles declined by 74 percent from 2000 to 2007. The article actually used the word "plunged", which for once was not hyperbole. A 74 percent drop is big. The data comes from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, which stated that "the number of deaths fell from 750,000 to 197,000." In some countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Sudan) the drop was as high as 90 percent.

Now here's a stat to make you cringe – "worldwide child deaths from measles have dropped to 9.2 million," according to Ann M. Veneman of UNICEF.

What's cringeworthy about that? Later in the same article, Veneman puts it another way: "It is estimated that 500 children a day die of measles. This is an unacceptable reality when there is a safe and effective and inexpensive vaccine to prevent the disease." Unacceptable? No kidding.

While there are very few measles deaths in the United States, the disease is on the rise here, with 130 cases reported in 2008. Says U.S. News and World Report: "Almost half of these cases were among children whose parents declined vaccinations."

I wonder about that last line. "Almost half" implies that more than half of the cases were from vaccinated children – right? Which would seem to conclude that the vaccine is less than perfect. But let's look at it another way – the more parents refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated, the more measles cases there are, and so on. Is there a point when the potential dangers of vaccines outweigh the potential risks?

I feel strongly that the devil lies in the details – for example, is it possible to make vaccines without mercury, one of the substances many people feel is dangerous? Rather than a "vaccines or no vaccines" debate, we could have a debate about the particular vaccine itself. But that doesn't make for an easy headline.

The link to the U.S. News and World Report article was suggested by a commenter on this post by Hannah about a toddler who died after an MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination. The parents blamed the vaccine for the 18 month old's death; the coroner's report later found "no link" between the tragic death and the vaccine. While stories like these can inspire parents to refuse to get their children vaccinated (regardless of what the coroner's report said), it is worth remembering that vaccines have enormous benefits as well as risks.

Source: U.S. News and World Report (Thanks to commenter gpgirl for the link.)

Image: helpyourautisticchildblog.com

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Update: Coroner Finds No Link Between Vaccine and Toddler’s Sudden Death

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:51:00 GMT

After hearing testimony from bereaved parents and numerous health care professionals on the sudden death of toddler George Fisher ten days after he received the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella, a coroner ruled that the child’s death was unrelated to the vaccine.

Because George had suffered an epileptic fit four months before receiving the MMR vaccine, he had a 2 percent chance of suffering from a seizure as a result of the MMR. However, there are no known cases of children dying as a result of these seizures, and therej is no evidence that George suffered one before his death. The coroner also ruled that George’s symptoms (he had diarrhea and red eyes in the days before his death) emerged too soon after the MMR shot to be linked to it.

The coroner agreed with other infant health experts that George had died of a rare condition called Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood.

George’s parents strongly disagree with the verdict. Sarah Fisher, George’s mother, said, “I think it’s so wrong to put the death of a healthy little boy down to natural causes. There’s nothing natural about an 18-month-old boy dying of nothing, because that’s what it was—nothing.”

My heart goes out to George’s parents in these unthinkably difficult times, further complicated by a legal controversy.

Photo: Getty Images

Toddler Dies Suddenly 10 Days After MMR Vaccine

Defying Doctors, Parents Blame Toddler's Sudden Death on MMR Vaccination

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Bereaved parents in the U.K. are desperate for answers after their 18-month-old son, George, was found dead in his crib 10 days after he received the vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella. George's parents, Sarah and Christopher Fisher, believe his death was tied to the vaccine, while a leading British infant health specialist says he believes George was the victim of a rare form of seizure called Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood.

Although George had suffered an epileptic fit four months before the MMR vaccine, doctors say it was safe to administer the shot. However, George’s parents should have been told to carefully monitor his temperature in the days following the shot, since the MMR vaccine can cause a “febrile convulsion” (a fever-related seizure) in one of about two to three thousand children who receive the vaccine. Still, experts say they know of no case in which a child has died as a result of a MMR-related febrile convulsion.

George’s parents claim they were not warned to carefully monitor George’s temperature and health in the days after the shot. The day before his death, George had diarrhea, red eyes, and wasn’t eating as much as usual, but since he was otherwise healthy and in good spirits, his parents simply made a doctor's appointment instead of taking him to the hospital.

Regardless of the actual cause of George’s death, it is highly disturbing that medical staff did not stress the importance of monitoring any post-MMR vaccine reactions. Even if this would not have saved George’s life, it would have given the parents the invaluable peace of mind of knowing that every precaution was taken to save their son.

UPDATE: Coroner Finds No Link Between Toddler's Sudden Death and MMR Vaccine

Photo: Telegraph

They Say: no link between autism and measles vaccine

Brett Singer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:30:00 GMT

This news is unfortunately not likely to solve anyone's questions about whether or not vaccines are a cause of autism.

"Dr. W. Ian Lipkin of Columbia University, collaborating with a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Trinity College in Dublin, tackled the hot-button question: whether the MMR vaccine causes autism.

"'We are persuaded there is no link,' said Lipkin, director of the center on infection and immunity at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health in Manhattan."

HOWEVER…

"The study was not designed to address other rumored theories of autism's cause, such as thimerosal, the much-debated mercury-based preservative in some other vaccines, Lipkin said."

Now, as usual, the devil is in the details. The 1998 study that linked MMR vaccines to autism was based on a whopping 12 children. I'm no scientist (nor have I played one on TV) but that doesn't sound like a very large sample base.

For this new study, "Lipkin and colleagues searched for traces of genetic material linked to the virus in intestinal tissue taken from 25 children with autism and gastrointestinal problems. They compared the samples to those from 13 children without autism but with intestinal problems. In 24 of the group of 25 and in 12 of the 13, there was no evidence of viral persistence, leading researchers to conclude the vaccine did not cause autism or gastrointestinal problems." So it’s a larger group of kids. Not that many, but on the surface it sounds more valid.

HOWEVER…

Why not do a study on thimerosal, which contains, as Jenny McCarthy calls it, "frickin' mercury"? Wouldn't that be, like, actually useful?

In theory, this study will put to rest parents' fears about this particular vaccine. Of course, as the great Homer Simpson once said, communism works -- in theory. In other words, I doubt this news will do anything to change anybody's mind one way or the other.

source: Newsday

image: timesonline.typepad.com

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Was Amanda Peet Right? Jump In Measles Cases Linked to Vaccine Refusals

SunnyChanel — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:26:00 GMT

Recently starlet Amanda Peet infamously stated in Cookie Magazine that "parents who don't vaccinate their children are parasites.". On Cookie.com she responded (and kinda apologized), in due part from the avalanche of criticism she received from her comments, that “I still believe that the decision not to vaccinate our children bodes for a dangerous future. Vast reductions in immunization will lead to a resurgence of deadly viruses. This is as indisputable as global warming. I know a lot of parents who secretly use as a justification.” "Well, enough other people are vaccinating, so therefore, we don't have to." She continues to write that “It's so hard to appreciate vaccines now that so few children are dying from preventable diseases today, but that could all change if we're not vigilant. There are currently multiple measles outbreaks in the United States. Hopefully children do not have to die before people start to realize the cost of withholding vaccines.”

Well, it looks like Amanda Peet had a point. New studies have found that measles cases have been popping up at their highest level in more than ten years. And half of those cases are from kids who didn’t get vaccinated. There’s been 131 cases so far this year (a 7 month span) whereas there were just 42 cases all of last year. Fortunately, there were no fatalities of those inflicted but there were 15 that had to be hospitalized. In addition to the Measles outbreak, about seventeen kids caught the whooping cough in the San Francisco Bay Area, and thirteen of those had not been vaccinated against it.

For more info check out the CDC report from their MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) here.

Via: AP Medical Report here.

Needle Camps

Adrienne Martini — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:30:00 GMT

When one polarizing parenting debate dies down, there is always another to take its place. It's like Whack-a-Mole, only less fun. This week's mole is vaccines.

If you want to start a fight, walk into any group of mothers and say, "Vaccines cause autism" or "Vaccines are a social good." Then walk out, just so you don't get hit by the flying fur.

Which is why this completely sensible take on vaccines by Sari Weston in Brain, Child will tick off just about everyone who insists on believing that this is a binary argument. Weston looks at pros and cons -- pointing out along the way that it is almost impossible to evaluate the information because there is so much bias -- and comes to a difficult-to -disagree-with conclusion.

Still, folks have found plenty to disagree with. Judging by the comments Weston's received, this mole keeps popping up, no matter how many times you thwack it.

Image credit: Brain, Child Magazine

They Say: Everybody's Catching Measles

Madeline Holler — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Are you sure you want to skip childhood vaccinations? Because in at least seven states, federal officials are expecting more cases than ever in 2008 thanks to several measles outbreaks around the country.

The numbers, according to the NY Times:

There were 64 cases from January through April 25, more than in all of 2006 and the highest number during that four-month period since 2001. None have yet proved fatal, but officials said they expected the total to keep rising.

Fourteen patients, or 22 percent, have been hospitalized, mostly for pneumonia.

How bad could measles be? After all, an invite to a measles party is a rather coveted thing in some areas. (Want a lick my lollipop?) Worldwide, measles kills about 242,000 each year. Sure, those deaths are likely in countries where they couldn't get treatment for the side effects.

Still, who wants to be this mom? In Washington State, eight siblings came down with measles -- three of them getting pneumonia -- after attending an international religious conference. Also, one baby caught measles at the doctors office, where she went for her measles shot.

What do you think? Worth the risk in skipping the measles shot?

Photo: dermatology.about.com

No Easy Answers

Adrienne Martini — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Most parents on the planet want to do the right thing for their kids. But given that the world is an imperfect place, the right thing can be just so very, very hard to figure out.

Some issues are no-brainers. It is wrong to feed your kid mud or lead or glass. But is it also wrong to feed non-organic produce? McDonald's? Juice?

And vaccines? Oy. Vaccines. Just look at the comment thread on this 'derby post about an autism/vaccine case in Georgia. If nothing else, it proves that there are no universal right answers right now.

Here are two more bits of data to throw in the mix: That Georgia case probably won't set any sort of precedent for other similar cases and measles, which is life-threatening in kids, is on the rise. Before the vaccine, nearly 6 million people globally were killed each year by this disease and the rates of infection are creeping back up in developed countries.

For me, it's a case of weighing the misery and possible fatality of measles against a nebulous, frequently disproved link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders. In a worse case scenario -- which is worse: death or disorder? There are no easy choices.

Photo credit: bbc.com

Merck Production Problems Mean More Owies for Your Babies

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Mon, 14 May 2007 20:47:00 GMT

As if Merck wasn't having enough problems lately. Now their supply of the combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox is projected to run out by July. They are projecting new supplies will be available by years-end but for parents who are getting their kids' shots updated in preparation for a new school year, this translates into more shots (and more tears) during summer doctor visits.

I dread well-child doctor visits like home birthers dread c-sections. They make me scared, uptight and anxious. And all the crying is embarrassing --especially when my kids have to comfort me.

Whatever happens with the Merck supply, I'm immediately going to stop procrastinating getting my little Kindergartners ready for fall and get them into the doctor before July.

Strollerderby : measles

Bad Science: How The Autism Vaccine Scare Snowballed

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Defying Doctors, Parents Blame Toddler's Sudden Death on MMR Vaccination

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Needle Camps

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Merck Production Problems Mean More Owies for Your Babies