Letters to the Editor for Sept. 10, 2020

Parents should be able to make informed choices on vaccines

I submit this information as a concerned citizen highlighting resources. (Editor’s Note: An online version of this letter, at camaspostrecord.com, contains hyperlinks to resources.)

InformedChoiceWa.org supports a parent’s right and duty to protect their children’s health, free from governmental interference, based upon medical necessity, scientific research, philosophical values or religious beliefs. They offer information about building healthy immune systems, links to studies on the known risks of vaccine products and other topics.

The Washington State Board of Health requires multiple doses of vaccines targeting 11 diseases in order to attend K-12 school or daycare, public or private. Pharmacies in Washington advertise, “School Vaccines Here.” Parents or guardians may opt-out a child from some or all state recommended immunizations by completing a Certificate of Exemption form available at the Washington Department of Health website, which is typically signed by a licensed healthcare provider. A religious exemption, a philosophical exemption or a medical exemption may apply.

Reported adverse reactions to vaccines include: brain damage, paralysis, intussusception of intestines and death. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and ChildrensHealthDefense.org advise parents to read: “10 Facts Every Parent Needs to Know About Vaccinations” and “Vaccine Package Inserts Reveal Hundreds of Medical Conditions Linked to Vaccines.”

The highly controversial HPV vaccines are not required by Washington state. Some medical clinics promote HPV vaccines for both girls and boys. Around the world, young people whose health has declined, or families who lost a child after an HPV vaccine have risen up to warn others. Helpful resources from ChildrensHealthDefense.org include, “Top Ten Facts for Consideration Regarding the Health Impacts of HPV Vaccination in Children” and a free webinar, “Do You or Your Child Really Need an HPV Vaccine? Experts Explore the Risks.”

The flu vaccine is not required for schools and daycare in Washington state, but is promoted by pharmacies and healthcare providers who don’t always provide sufficient information about the risks, and often gain financially from administering vaccines.

Over $4 billion has been paid out to victims of vaccine injury and their families by the U.S. government. Some legal professionals specialize in such cases at no charge. Sadly, those who administer vaccines often fail to inform parents or patients about the program.

The CDC recommends off-label use of flu and Tdap vaccines to pregnant women, even though the FDA has not licensed vaccines for use in pregnancy, for protection of the infant. Pregnant mothers may decline vaccines for themselves and their babies. The CDC promotes the Hep B vaccine for newborns at 1 day old, 1 month old and 6 months old, although the vast majority are not at risk of the disease.

Consider the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule from 1986 versus 2019: The CDC now recommends 2-month-old babies be subjected to the risks associated with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, HIB, pneumococcal-13 and rotavirus vaccines all at once, with repeat doses at 4 months, 6 months and 15 months. Plus, an annual flu shot starting at 6-months-old. For babies 12- to 18-months-old, Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis A innoculations are heaped on. The plausible connection between vaccines and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) must be investigated. U.S. baby and child death rates are worse than many other countries, and the U.S. pushes the most vaccines for babies in the developed world.

If a baby or child suffers serious reactions within hours to weeks after vaccination, parents should seek medical help. The reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), operated by the FDA and CDC. Acute symptoms include body rash, breathing problems, collapse, prolonged screaming or crying, head pain, slurred speech, weakness or paralysis of any body part, jerking, seizures, vision or hearing problems, bleeding and other reactions.

Washington residents have the right to research the risks of medical products and make informed medical choices for themselves and their children.

Margaret Tweet,

Camas