Editor:
In his op-ed of March 15, Dr. Michael Klein denigrates “vaccine deniers” who do their own research while showing failure to do his own. He pounces on the much-maligned 1998 Wakefield study which he says had “a small amount of made-up data, purporting to show a link between autism and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.” I have a copy of that study. It states: “We did not prove an association between measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and the syndrome described [gastrointestinal disease and developmental regression]… Further investigations are needed.”
He then attacks “research in mice carried out at UBC by Dr. Chris Shaw, purporting to show neurocognitive deterioration after aluminum exposure.” He claims it was retracted “when it was found the results were doctored.” Chris Shaw conducted many aluminum studies, most of which were not retracted. One 2011 study noted that “aluminum, the most commonly used vaccine adjuvant, is a demonstrated neurotoxin… Children should not be viewed as ‘small adults’ as their unique physiology makes them much more vulnerable to toxic insults.”
Another of Klein’s assertions is that “since 2001, mercury was removed from all vaccines.” For the 2018-19 season, the National Advisory Committee on Vaccinations states: “The multi-dose formulations of inactivated influenza vaccine that are authorized for use in Canada contain minute quantities of [the mercury compound] thimerosal.” Mercury is toxic in any amount. One of my children lost his centre vision due to thimerosal in a diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus shot he received as a baby. A very recent preliminary study has compared the health status of vaccinated and unvaccinated children. It found “vaccines were associated with chronic health conditions, but it was also apparent that different children react differently.” More and larger comparative studies are needed to discover what’s driving the childhood health crisis.
Susan Fletcher, Sechelt
