Flu Vaccine Makers (both) Are Out Of The Vaccine

Fox News ^ | 12-5-2003 | Shep Smith

[torstars]

Important to note that the information states that deaths in children are about where they should be for this time of the year.

There have been several media reports of healthy, immunized children dying. Although the flu does tend to kill older people and younger with underlying conditions, I think that the recent deaths of children with no underlying conditions are unusual (and several have been immunized with current vaccine).

[riri]

I have not heard any reports of immunized children dying. I would be interested in reading about it, if you have any links.

I tend to believe the info in the pro-med article.

A number of deaths in children and infants aged under 14 years) and young adults have been reported to be associated with influenza infections. At least 12 of the deaths in children (in England and Scotland) have been shown to be due to influenza A infection, (7 confirmed as A H3 viruses, 5 of which have been confirmed to be of the Fujian strain). The increased general practitioner consultation rates for influenza-like illness in children may reflect increased susceptibility in younger age groups. A high proportion of children may be immunologically naive because of low levels of influenza activity in recent years. If this interpretation is correct, many children who are becoming sick are experiencing their primary influenza illness, and it is to be expected that some will become ill enough to require hospital care and some, unfortunately, will die. The risk of severe illness is increased, but not confined to those with underlying chronic illnesses. The A H3N2 subtype of influenza is usually associated with higher morbidity and mortality in all age groups than the other circulating types or subtypes of influenza.

[riri]

Yikes, I take that back after reading this.

CDC to Monitor Children's Flu Complications

[blam]

"CDC to Monitor Children's Flu Complications"

I started a stand-alone thread on you link, thanks.

[torstars]

I have not heard any reports of immunized children dying. I would be interested in reading about it, if you have any links.

Here is link for one of two immunized twins dying: "The twins got flu shots about a week before they became ill, the parents said. The boys were healthy on Thanksgiving "running around and full of pumpkin pie," Brian Huckabay said. They went to a birthday party Nov. 30 with their grandparents. By Monday, the children became listless and had sore throats and were taken to the doctor. When the boys got worse last Tuesday night, the parents took them to an emergency room in Pueblo and were sent home. By midmorning Wednesday, Dezmond died in his sleep, and Diego was fighting for breath. "

[torstars]

Here is another article on a toddler's death after getting immunized

"Neither the Council Bluffs Health Department or the Iowa Department of Health have confirmed that 20-month-old Caitlin Mouw died last Tuesday from the flu.

But her parents said doctors told them that all signs point to it. Caitlin had received the flu vaccine at her 18-month checkup."

http://www.theomahachannel.com/iowabureau/2690746/detail.html

[riri]

Thanks, that is some frightening stuff.

[HankReardon]

I'm kind of late on this thread, sorry. I vaguely remember Hillary going after the vaccine manufacturers for making what she called "obscene" profits. Could this have effected supply?

[Starbreed]

When 23 companies used to produce vaccines, why are there only two now? There was a set-to by Sens. Frist and Clinton about vaccines last year. The basic issues that affect vaccine shortages follow.

Extracts from INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CHIDREN, Dec 2002, article by Bryan Bechtel

"Vaccines have traditionally been high-risk, low-profit ventures for pharmaceutical companies. Investors tend to shy away from vaccines because they require extensive and expensive clinical testing before licensure and tend to favor projects on potential blockbuster drugs.

"The idea of government owned or sponsored manufacturing has been proposed as one strategy, but the pharmaceutical industry has largely rejected that idea, saying it would be redundant and unnecessary. Instead, several advisory panels have suggested incentives or tax-breaks to manufacturers to keep them interested in making vaccines.

"The costs of bringing a new vaccine to market can be astronomical, but they pale in comparison to the risks companies face when those products reach consumers. There has been anecdotal evidence that cost of investment has kept some smaller biotechnology companies from participating in vaccines, but it is a well known fact that fear of liability has caused some pharmaceutical companies to drop out of the market.

"Congress created the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to adjudicate claims of vaccine harm in 1986 after years of contentious litigation led some companies to stop production of vaccines. The program pays claims based on a predesigned table without the need for trial by jury.

"But now, trial lawyers have found unique ways to circumvent the process, particularly with thimerosal litigation. Several lawsuits claim thimerosal to be a contaminant, not a preservative, and therefore, not covered by the injury table, while several class-action suits seek money for medical monitoring. However, a new provision to the Homeland-Security Bill will block these claims.

"Another suggestion is a review of the regulatory process to make licensing vaccines more predictable and to make sure manufacturers stay compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Supplies of several vaccines, including MMR and varicella (Varivax, Merck) and some formulations of hepatitis B vaccine became scarce after FDA inspections found issues with manufacturing conditions.

"Pharmaceutical companies have complained that the FDA’s current GMP are ambiguous and difficult to interpret. Meanwhile, the FDA has said that its standards are intentionally vague so they can be dynamic and reflect the latest advances in technology.

"The FDA’s licensing review process has also come under fire. While not a direct cause of vaccine shortages, regulatory requirements have made it difficult for companies to maintain viability and may be a disincentive for new companies to enter the market."

I, too, remember Hilary calling vaccine profits "obscene". I also remember a huge government stockpile of vaccine going bad in New Jersey in the nineties. Is there also a link with the anthrax and smallpox vaccine problems?