CURRENTLY, there are a lot of expressed concerns about vaccines and vaccination, both in Malaysia and other countries that have yet to make vaccination mandatory, like the US.
In the US, it started off with some measles cases when the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention declared an outbreak. In Malaysia, it started with a few cases of diphtheria stretched over a few months, and certain individuals using the opportunity to criticise parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. Others, including ministers, joined the chorus to vilify those against mandatory vaccinations.
It is interesting to observe that the way the campaign was organised in the US and Malaysia is very similar. The term “anti-vaxxers” is used in both countries. The entire campaign, the manner in which proposed mandatory vaccination was initiated, pushed and supported, has been similar, too.
Let us ignore the noise and hear what science has to say about vaccines and vaccination.
Mercury is a known neurotoxin. The World Health Organisation, in its publication, has acknowledged that mercury is one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern, and exposure to even a small amount can cause serious health problems, particularly to the development of a child in utero and early in life. Mercury may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems.
Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses found links between mercury and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Kern et al (2016) reviewed 91 studies from 1999 to 2016, and found mercury exposure to be causal and/or contributory to ASD. Jafari et al (2017) reviewed 44 studies, and found causal factor in the etiology of autism and ASD.
As no experimental studies would be allowed on humans, and autism being the main concern, numerous epidemiological studies were carried out, particularly in the last decade, studying hospital records and cohorts of groups with different types of vaccine exposure.
The results of these observational studies in different countries found no link between vaccination and autism. Based on these observational studies, WHO concluded that there is no need to change the current usage of thiomersal (or thimerosal), a derivative of mercury used in vaccines, as the risk of autism is unproven.
It is correct to say the risk of autism and ASD caused by mercury in vaccines is unproven, because there are no experimental studies to show cause and effect. But, it is not correct to say there is no link between autism and mercury. Many studies have shown that link.
Ethylmercury, which is the substance in thiomersal, moves freely throughout the body, and crosses the blood-brain barrier easily. Therefore, concerns about possible harm caused by even minuscule exposure to mercury-containing vaccines are understandable, and should not be brushed aside.
There is also a difference between transient and permanent immunity. In most cases with vaccines, the immunity is transient. Booster shots are required to provide longer-lasting immunity, which means more exposure to the mercury onslaught to the body of a child. In contrast, immunity due to person-to-person contact, or natural exposure, is lifelong.
The science regarding vaccination is well-established. Vaccination saves lives and is necessary. As a compromise, perhaps, it is better to use only single-vial vaccines, as they do not carry the mercury adjuvant. These are available in Western countries and should also be made available here. The disadvantages are its higher cost and the need for more storage space.
When joining the discourse, the public should also realise that vaccines are mega profits for the multinational pharmaceutical corporations that produce them.
In the meantime, it would be wise for our politicians not to speak faster than they think, lest they be subjected to civil suits if what seems sensible now goes awry in the future. Allow science to sort out the uncertainties regarding vaccination. – March 13, 2019.
* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.
* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.
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Comments
The fact is, anti-vaxxers do not have science behind their argument. Its all conjecture, pseudo-science and conspiracy theories. Giving them a platform to confuse the public further without proper science will only lead to more kids not being vaccinated and facing the risk of death through illness that have been eradicated through vaccination.
This article is the type of pseudo-science gobbledegook that anti-vaxxers jump on as support for their cause.
The author accepts that the science is sound, "Vaccination saves lives and is necessary". But yet, he slips in pseudo-science and non-science conspiracy issues to create doubt to advocate that the government should listen to the other side despite there being no scientific evidence on the other side.
Two paragraphs exposes this:
"It is correct to say the risk of autism and ASD caused by mercury in vaccines is unproven, because there are no experimental studies to show cause and effect. But, it is not correct to say there is no link between autism and mercury. Many studies have shown that link"
So vaccines are safe and necessary and there is no proof to say that vaccines cause autism. Yet the author does a twist and lobs in a different parameter to create doubt.
The 2nd paragraph is a non-science issue:
When joining the discourse, the public should also realise that vaccines are mega profits for the multinational pharmaceutical corporations that produce them.
This is the good old fear mongering conspiracy issue against pharma companies that is often used as a justification by parents not to vaccinate their children. That all pharma companies with the thousands of scientists working for them doing research want your children to be autistic.
A quick google search on the author will show that his view of science may be somewhat different from the general consensus. In a Youtube video published in 2014 by the Rath Foundation, a person with the same name as the author gushes praises to Dr Matthias Rath. This is what the Guardian had to say about this man:
"Matthias Rath, the vitamin campaigner accused of endangering thousands of lives in South Africa by promoting his pills while denouncing conventional medicines as toxic and dangerous, has dropped a year-long libel action against the Guardian and been ordered to pay costs.
Rath sued over three Guardian articles that condemned his promotional activities among Aids sufferers in South African townships.
A qualified doctor who is thought to have made millions selling nutritional supplements around the globe through his website empire, Rath claimed his pills could reverse the course of Aids and distributed them free in South Africa, where campaigners, who have won a hard-fought battle to persuade the government to roll out free Aids drugs to keep millions alive, believe Raths activities led to deaths.
The Dr Rath Foundation focuses its promotional activities on eight countries the US, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, France and Russia claiming that his micronutrient products will cure not just Aids, but cancer, heart disease, strokes and other illnesses"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/sep/12/matthiasrath.aids2
Posted 7 years ago by Robbie Isgod · Reply
1. Your name does not appear in a google search. Are you a ghost writer?
2. Can you please declare if you are from the pharmaceutical industry?
Posted 7 years ago by Amin Iskandar · Reply
I am not a ghost writer. Just a normal subscriber to TMI and someone who hates pseudo-science dressed up as real science to confuse people in this believe-everything-on-socialmedia age. Where things are not 'black' or white but a glob of grey where with truths and half truths mingle. Just doing my part to call out the insidious.
2. Nope. I am not a scientist nor am I from the pharma industry.
Posted 7 years ago by Robbie Isgod · Reply