Vaccinations and Mercury

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December 25, 2004

Mr. Josh Howard
Executive Producer
60 Minutes Wednesday
524 West 57th St.
New York, NY 10019

Dear Mr. Howard:

The October 20th 60 Minutes II segment on vaccines was alarming in its neglect of scientific facts on the negative effects produced by vaccines. In 1991, several vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal (49.6% ethyl mercury) were added to the routine pediatric schedule. On the day of birth, babies were injected with 12.5 micrograms (μg) mercury via the Hepatitis B vaccine. At two, four, and six months, the DTP and Hib vaccines were often given during the same office visit for a total of 50 μg. mercury received in one sitting, an amount considered safe by the EPA for an adult weighing 1,100 lbs. This consistent overdosing took its toll on those unable to eliminate the toxin from their systems.

60 Minutes neglected to report the numerous studies establishing thimerosal's extreme neurotoxicity. But you claimed to have located a plethora of articles confirming the safety of vaccines. We'd like to see one single study conducted by scientists without ties to drug companies, proving that it is safe to inject mercury, the second most toxic substance on earth, into infants and toddlers. With all of the recent warnings to the public regarding the dangers of mercury exposure through fish and power plants, how does CBS reconcile the direct injection of mercury into infants with vaccine "safety"? Also, in June 2004, CBS reported on the fact that a new study from Columbia University researcher Mady Hornig showed that thimerosal injected into mice caused autistic symptoms. This story directly conflicts with the 60 Minutes segment.

In addition to its inadequate presentation of thimerosal research, 60 Minutes' treatment of Andrew Wakefield's work is irresponsibly misleading. Dr. Wakefield has never advocated that parents not vaccinate their children, nor has he received compensation for the Lancet study, as CBS claims. Shortly after the 1998 publication of this study, Dr. Wakefield disclosed to the Lancet that he had been approached by parents he later learned were involved in the British MMR lawsuit, agreed to examine their children, and used funds from the Legal Aid Board of England for some research expenses. It was only in 2004 that the Lancet and an antagonistic journalist chose to manufacture a false issue over what they wrongly claimed was nondisclosure.

Dr. Wakefield did not claim that the MMR causes autism, but suggested that findings of a new form of intestinal disease among children labeled "autistic" merited further study. Are public-health authorities burying unpleasant facts to protect established government programs rather than address an honest suggestion that a new disease manifestation requires investigation? 60 Minutes did not mention Dr. Wakefield's more recent discovery of vaccine strain measles virus in the intestinal lining and cerebrospinal fluid of these same children reinforces his original urgent but unheeded recommendation for further research in this area. Why?

Misrepresentations such as these involving Dr. Wakefield would have been easily corrected by even the most cursory fact-checking before the CBS broadcast. Instead of doing its own research, 60 Minutes chose to rely upon the word of Dr. Paul Offit.

Dr. Offit provides a perfect example of the collusion that exists between federal regulatory agencies and drug companies. While serving on the CDC's Advisory Council on Immunization Practices, Dr. Offit was co-patent holder with Merck on the rotavirus vaccine, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from Merck for his "research", book deal, and speaking tour.

Blatant conflicts of interest such as Paul Offit's have created a revolving door between government and industry leading to a frightening place: a place where physicians with financial ties to vaccine makers have a say on which vaccines children are required to receive; a place where journalists convey to the public exactly what the pharmaceutical industry and tainted federal agencies tell them to convey; a place where the phrase "first do no harm" does not apply; and a place where causing grievous harm to society's most vulnerable is less important than the profits of the very industry that caused the harm, less important than the reputations of those within the CDC and FDA who allowed the harm to occur and who continue to cover-up the facts.

We call upon CBS to give equal air time to researchers without pharmaceutical ties who have confirmed the link between mercury in vaccines and neurological disorders. Mady Hornig, Columbia University; Richard Deth, Northeastern University, and Boyd Haley, University of Kentucky are just a few of the renowned scientists who can shed light upon this link.

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this under-researched, pharmaceutical friendly segment is its potential to influence parents of children with diagnoses such as autism and ADHD, persuading them that mercury exposure had nothing to do with their children's injuries. There are treatments available that these parents now may not seek. With one in six children now needing special education services in this country, 60 Minutes has potentially robbed thousands upon thousands of children of the medical intervention they desperately need. Do you have a conscience that cares for the well-being of society's children, our children?

Please correct your harmful error as soon as possible. I await your written response. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Aajonus Vonderplanitz
2300 S. Kanan Dume Road
Malibu, CA 90265-2740