How Independent Are Vaccine Defenders?
For years some parents and scientists have raised concerns about vaccine safety, including a possible link to autism and ADD. Many independent experts have sided with government officials and other scientists who say there's no possible connection. But how "independent" are they? CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson shares here's what she found.
They're some of the most trusted voices in the defense of vaccine safety: the American Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two, and pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit.
But CBS News has found these three have something more in common - strong financial ties to the industry whose products they promote and defend.
The vaccine industry gives millions to the Academy of Pediatrics for conferences, grants, medical education classes and even helped build their headquarters. The totals are kept secret, but public documents reveal bits and pieces.
A $342,000 payment from Wyeth, maker of the pneumococcal vaccine - which makes $2 billion a year in sales.
A $433,000 contribution from Merck, the same year the academy endorsed Merck's HPV vaccine - which made $1.5 billion a year in sales.
Another top donor: Sanofi Aventis, maker of 17 vaccines and a new five-in-one combo shot just added to the childhood vaccine schedule last month.
Every Child By Two, a group that promotes early immunization for all children, admits the group takes money from the vaccine industry, too - but wouldn't tell us how much.
A spokesman told CBS News: "There are simply no conflicts to be unearthed." But guess who's listed as the group's treasurers? Officials from Wyeth and a paid advisor to big pharmaceutical clients.
Then there's Paul Offit, perhaps the most widely-quoted defender of vaccine safety.
He's gone so far as to say babies can tolerate "10,000 vaccines at once."
This is how Offit described himself in a previous interview: "I'm the chief of infectious disease at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a professor of pediatrics at Penn's medical school," he said.
Offit was not willing to be interviewed on this subject but like others in this CBS News investigation, he has strong industry ties. In fact, he's a vaccine industry insider.
Offit holds in a $1.5 million dollar research chair at Children's Hospital, funded by Merck. He holds the patent on an anti-diarrhea vaccine he developed with Merck, Rotateq, which has prevented thousands of hospitalizations.
And future royalties for the vaccine were just sold for $182 million cash. Dr. Offit's share of vaccine profits? Unknown.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two and Dr. Offit would not agree to interviews, but all told us they're up front about the money they receive, and it doesn't sway their opinions.
Today's immunization schedule now calls for kids to get 55 doses of vaccines by age 6.
Ideally, it makes for a healthier society. But critics worry that industry ties could impact the advice given to the public about all those vaccines.
Copyright 2008 CBS. All rights reserved. They're some of the most trusted voices in the defense of vaccine safety: the American Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two, and pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit.
But CBS News has found these three have something more in common - strong financial ties to the industry whose products they promote and defend.
The vaccine industry gives millions to the Academy of Pediatrics for conferences, grants, medical education classes and even helped build their headquarters. The totals are kept secret, but public documents reveal bits and pieces.
Every Child By Two, a group that promotes early immunization for all children, admits the group takes money from the vaccine industry, too - but wouldn't tell us how much.
A spokesman told CBS News: "There are simply no conflicts to be unearthed." But guess who's listed as the group's treasurers? Officials from Wyeth and a paid advisor to big pharmaceutical clients.
Then there's Paul Offit, perhaps the most widely-quoted defender of vaccine safety.
He's gone so far as to say babies can tolerate "10,000 vaccines at once."
This is how Offit described himself in a previous interview: "I'm the chief of infectious disease at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a professor of pediatrics at Penn's medical school," he said.
Offit was not willing to be interviewed on this subject but like others in this CBS News investigation, he has strong industry ties. In fact, he's a vaccine industry insider.
Offit holds in a $1.5 million dollar research chair at Children's Hospital, funded by Merck. He holds the patent on an anti-diarrhea vaccine he developed with Merck, Rotateq, which has prevented thousands of hospitalizations.
And future royalties for the vaccine were just sold for $182 million cash. Dr. Offit's share of vaccine profits? Unknown.
There's nothing illegal about the financial relationships, but to critics, they pose a serious risk for conflicts of interest. As one member of Congress put it, money from the pharmaceutical industry can shape the practices of those who hold themselves out to be "independent."
Read more about this story at Couric & Co. Blog
The American Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two and Dr. Offit would not agree to interviews, but all told us they're up front about the money they receive, and it doesn't sway their opinions.
Today's immunization schedule now calls for kids to get 55 doses of vaccines by age 6.
Ideally, it makes for a healthier society. But critics worry that industry ties could impact the advice given to the public about all those vaccines.
Treasurer
Senior Program Analyst
Supplemental Food Programs Division
Food and Nutrition Services, USDA (WIC)
And Dr Offit is always very open about his monetary ties to the vaccine industry, which is how any good scientist should be.
There is no issue here except for people who cannot think for themselves.
I saw my child, who was perfectly functioning change the day he was injected with a vaccination that I was told he needed in order to be protected. I was all for it, great, protecting my child. Yet, when I witnessed a change in his personality I am told that I am a wacko for saying this. I am told that I don't know what I am talking about. I am told this by people that have never seen my child, people that did not know him before vaccinations and after. Yet, the people that were around my child his entire life saw this change. They carried him around for hours after the injection trying to consol his unstoppable crying. They sat up with him while he could not sleep. These are family and friends who knew him and saw this change.
This is when we get emotionally charge over this. I am glad your child received a vaccination and did not see any adverse reactions whatsoever. That is a beautiful thing. I only, hope that these same parents had enough compassion and caring in their hearts to worry about my child without brushing it off as a coincidence. This is what I am told, it is just a coincidence. These people tell me I am just looking for something to blame. They never think that blame is not really the goal. If we as parents of these children have something tangible, we actually have something we can work towards recovering from.
Yet I am told, by people in life and on the internet that I hate my child for whom he is. This is the farthest from the truth. I am closer to my child than most, due to this. I spend more time with my child, working with his issues than most people could even imagine. While everyone else is going about life, playing sports and enjoying the world, our world is full of medical treatments, supplement, medications and therapies.
So... Yes I am emotionally charged. This is my life and my child's life. While most of the people that tell me vaccinations had nothing to do with my child's issues and that even though I saw him change just hours after receiving this vaccination, after disregarding anything I have to say, they go home to their perfectly functioning child.
How would you feel if your child was in hit by a car in front of your own eyes and he ended with brain damage, and the people around you told you, "Yes he was hit by a car, but it is just a coincidence that he has brain damage now? We understand you hate your child for what he is, but you cannot blame that on the accident." This is the reality that we face when we speak with people such as you. Emotionally charged? You betcha!
Keep reporting and telling the truth. It is refreashing to see mainstream media take this issue to heart and report on it in an unbias way. Thank you!
I don't believe for a minute that the money they receive doesn't sway their opinions (Dr. Offit, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Every Child by Two). I consider it a crime when parents are assured that vaccines are safe--when it is absolutely not true. Anyone who has an Internet connection can go to the VAERS database and see thousands of reports of adverse reactions after vaccinations, including death in some cases.
Pediatricians, insurance companies, government authorities, and the mainstream media (in most cases) all tell parents that vaccines are safe and effective and that there is no connection between vaccines and autism. Parents are not told about the risks of vaccination, and even when there is an adverse reaction, they are usually told that it was not related to the vaccine.
If a person is going to have surgery or some medical procedure, that person is told about possible risks or complications. In fact it is legally required. Vaccines are an exception to the established principle of informed consent. Parents are NOT informed. They are told that adverse reactions are "rare" and that the "benefits outweigh the risks." I wonder how many are told that there is no liability on the part of either the doctor or the vaccine manufacturer.
When my brother got a flu shot, he could not use his arm for several days. He went back to the clinic or wherever it was he got the shot to ask why he was unable to use his arm, and he was immediately told that it had nothing to do with the shot.
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This policy is strictly adhered to in order to ensure that our programs maintain credibility. Most importantly, we never support the use of any particular vaccines - instead we educate the public about the diseases prevented by vaccines, choosing not to discuss the merits of one pharmaceutical product over another. In addition, this reporter is well aware that tax records are readily available for free on the internet for all non-profit organizations, we directed the reporter to that site to declare our funding amounts. Again, why would this reporter claim otherwise and deny such knowledge of the existence of tax records? Our organization is dedicated to saving the lives of children and we take this mission to heart. Amy Pisani, Executive Director, Every Child By Two
Robert Hutchins
Never was a truer word said. The question may nevertheless be asked: What is done by the Norwegian health authorities to tackle this problem?
Unfortunately the answer appears to be "Nothing".
I sincerely hope that CBS, and other news stations will continue with more articles such as this, and really do independent and thorough investigating on this issue. We owe it to our children!