Vaccine Watch: Online Report Claims Vaccine Advisor Made Millions

By: Sharyl Attkisson
Topics: Vaccine Watch

(CBS)

Last July, CBS News investigated allegations of conflicts of interest among "independent" experts who comment on vaccine safety, and the companies that manufacture vaccines. One widely-quoted defender of vaccine safety, Dr. Paul Offit of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, was mentioned in the report in connection to his anti-diarrhea vaccine Rotateq, which he helped develop with Merck.

At the time, neither Dr. Offit nor Children's Hospital would provide information regarding the total compensation Offit receives or has received from pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, for speeches, consulting arrangements, studies, and other services. Nor would they provide information on how much compensation Offit has received in connection with the Rotateq vaccine. This report claims to have found the answer.

At the time of our original report, Dr. Offit wouldn't agree to an interview, but a spokesman said he is upfront about the pharmaceutical money he has received, and that it doesn't sway his opinion on vaccine safety issues.

Sharyl Attkisson
Sharyl Attkisson is a CBS News investigative correspondent based in Washington. All of her stories, videos and blogs are available here.
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by saluki79 April 25, 2009 1:54 AM EDT: You guys are ridiculous! We have a potential FLU OUTBREAK that could be worse than the 1918 flu epidemic and talking about a few murders Homeland security apologize, the octo mom etc!

45 people have died in Mexico and 8 in the U.S. The 1st stage has been hit the second resulted in the above deaths! The potential in 1 month has horrifying devasting potential!

We need to shut the borders and start aquaratine program NOW!

WHERE IS THE CDC AND HOMELAND SECURITY/ THIS APPEARS TO BE A GENETICALLY MADE VIRUS.

IT IS QUITE LIKELY TO BE A TERRORIST ATTACK!; Reply to this comment