Which is the greater threat? Measles or the Measles Vaccine?

© EU Observer

A recent measles outbreak at Disneyland of at least 70 cases (Jan 2015) has created quite a stir in the media. Five of the cases were fully vaccinated, indicating the measles vaccine confers only temporary immunity. Clearly there is no "failure to vaccinate", as measles has broken out in highly vaccinatedpopulations. It is obviously a failure of the vaccine. Unlike the vaccine, real measles infection confers life-long immunity.

In 2008, a similar resurgence in measles cases was reported. An increase in reported cases of measles from 42 to 131 prompted a 2008 editorial warning of re-emergence of "many diseases" if vaccination rates drop. A quote from the :

"If confidence in all vaccines were to drop precipitously, many diseases would re-emerge and cause far more harm than could possibly result from vaccination."

Confidence in Vaccines Has Been Lost

Unfortunately, confidence in vaccines has already been lost according to Shona Hilton in her article,"Who do parents believe about MMR". According to Shona Hilton, young parents are mistrustful of the media and the pediatricians who have financial incentives to push vaccines.

What is the Evidence for an Autism/ Vaccine Link?

© AP PHOTO W.A.HAREWOOD

Hannah Poling and father courtesy of Scientific American

The Hanna Poling Case

In the case of Hannah Poling, the federal vaccine court has agreed to compensate Poling's family, conceding that her autism was caused by vaccination. The federal court has already paid out more than $1.5 billion for vaccine related injury or death.

Italian Court Conceded MMR Caused Autism

In 2012, the Italian Health Ministry conceded the MMR vaccine caused autism in nine-year-old Valentino Bocca. Exactly how many other cases exist is unknown because court records are usually sealed from public view.

Abnormal MMR Antibody Response in Autistic Kids

An important finding was found in a 2002 report in by Dr. Singh entitled .

The authors found elevated antibody levels to MMR (Measles Mumps Rubells Vaccine) in 60% of autistic children, none in controls. The elevated MMR antibodies in autistic children detected "measles HA protein", which is unique to the measles subunit of the vaccine. Over 90% of the autistic children with elevated MMR antibodies, also had elevated MBP (myelin basic protein) antibodies, suggesting a strong association between MMR and CNS autoimmunity in autism. The authors state:

"Stemming from this evidence, we suggest that an inappropriate antibody response to MMR, specifically the measles component thereof, might be related to pathogenesis of autism."

"In light of these new findings, we suggest that a considerable proportion of autistic cases may result from an atypical measles infection that does not produce a rash but causes neurological symptoms in some children. The source of this virus could be a variant MV or it could be the MMR vaccine."

A second paper in 2003 by the same group confirmed these findings: Singh, Vijendra K., and Ryan L. Jensen. 28.4 (2003): 292-294.

Bernadine Healy MD

According to Bernadine Healy MD, Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 1991, there is credible published, peer-reviewed scientific studies that support the idea of an association between autism and vaccines. Rather than oppose all vaccinations, Dr Healy suggests modifying the vaccination schedule to make them safer.

How to Make the Vaccine Schedule Safer?

Don Miller MD in this article on Lew Rockwell, provides a safer vaccination schedule. For example, the vaccination schedule can be made safer by waiting until child's immune system is better developed after age 2, by moving from the combined MMR shot to individual doses, avoiding thimerosol, and avoiding the live vaccines.

Which is the Greater Threat Autism or Measles?

While the number of autism cases are increasing, measles cases are decreasing.

Measles Mortality Decreasing

© wikimedia

Left chart Increasing autism cases:Reports of autism cases per 1,000 children grew dramatically in the U.S. from 1996 to 2007.

Mortality from measles decreased in US and UK from 1900 to 1963, even before first vaccines were introduced in 1963. (see below charts courtesy of Measles and measles vaccines fourteen things to consider by Roman Bystrianyk )

Mortality from measles in the US.

Mortality from measles in the UK

Introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 was successful. The measles vaccine (live virus) reduced the number of measles cases, and prevented about 100 deaths per year. Prior to 1963, mortality from measles had already dropped to low levels from improved living standards, better nutrition, and and sanitary measures.

Regressive Autism Caused by the MMR Shot - Dr Don Miller

Don Miller MD writes,

"Since the measles vaccine came into widespread use in this country this disease has virtually disappeared, and it has prevented 100 deaths a year. But now, instead, several thousand normally developing children become autistic after receiving their MMR shot. Termed "regressive autism," it accounts for about 30 percent of the 10,000 to 20,000 children who are diagnosed with autism in this country each year."

A User Friendly Vaccine Schedule from Don Miller MD:

1. avoid vaccines containing thimerosal, which is 50 percent mercury.


2. avoid vaccines that contain live viruses. This includes the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine; chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, and the live-virus polio (Sabin) vaccine.


3. Wait until age of two to start, then vaccinate no more than once every six months, one at a time, in order to allow the immune system sufficient time to recover and stabilize between shots.

Vitamin A and measles

Numerous medical publications have shown health benefits for Vitamin A in treatment of measles.

Conclusion

Clearly, there is a trade off in terms of benefits and risks of vaccines. Rather than deny the adverse effects of vaccines, we should be openly discussing how to make the vaccine schedule safer, as Don Miller MD and Bernadine Healy MD suggest.

Chomsky: We Are All – Fill in the Blank.

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