Top 5 Vaccine Stories for April

We have scoured the web to bring you the top news headlines from around the world. Stay current in the latest affairs surrounding vaccines, Pharma, and the authorities who support them.

My picks:

1. Vaccine-Autism Researcher Indicted for Fraud

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vaccine-autism-researcher-indicted-for-fraud-120224134.html

News from Maryland, USA. Danish scientist Dr. Poul Thorsen, is alleged to have embezzled $1 million in grant money from the CDC. The money was to be used for much needed research examining the link between thimerosal and autism. In the past, Thorsen is known for his involvement in widely accepted studies that show little or no correlation between autism and the common vaccine preservative thimerosal. Due to these new allegations, the studies showing “no link” are now being called into question and authorities are calling for independent investigation.

 

2. HIV project Harper signed with Bill Gates fizzled soon after

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/972488–hiv-project-harper-signed-with-bill-gates-fizzled-soon-after-report



News from Canada. The Canadian government is under fire for a rather expensive series of embarrassing mistakes. These mistakes involve the mis-management of approximately $111 MILLION dollars in grant money, donations from various sources -Bill Gates notably included, and money from an HIV-AIDS program. The money was to be used for building a huge vaccine plant in the hopes of manufacturing HIV vaccines. The project has suffered numerous blows including the notorious ineffectiveness of the HIV vaccine itself. The majority of the money has been tied up behind transfers to various departments, some of it has been spent, and, after plans to create a vaccine facility were cancelled, it was decided that half of the money would go to programs dedicated to reducing the transmission of AIDS from mothers to their children in developing countries.

 

3. Drug watchdog halts injections after adverse reaction in patients

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/drug-watchdog-halts-injections-after-adverse-reaction-in-patients/story-e6frg6nf-1226041211099

This one comes to us from Australia. Drug regulators have advised GPs to stop giving patients a second dose of Pneumovax 23, a vaccine which is meant to protect against the bacteria that can cause meningitis. No less than 178 reactions have been reported, 82 of which were considered severe. Although such reactions are listed as possible side effects and can be found on the vaccine insert, the sheer number of reactions is cause for alarm according to authorities. An investigation is underway as to the possible cause of the increase of reactions following this particular vaccine. It should be noted that a similar incident involving this same vaccine occurred earlier in March. A recall of the vaccine was issued after several persons experienced reactions following their shots.

 

4. Children told to be tested for HIV after flu vaccines reused

http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=193134

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.  Some parents in Colorado were shocked to learn that the flu vaccines administered to their children may have been contaminated with HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The culprit seems to have been shared vaccine syringes. An employee mistakenly assumed that flu vaccines are to be administered to children in half doses, and so she removed the needles from the syringes after administering only half the dose of vaccine. She then replaced the remaining half dose contained within the syringe to a receptacle of vaccines to be used later. Since the error was discovered, the employee has been fired, and all possible affected persons have been notified. Interestingly the main concern of authorities is the lack of proper vaccine dosage, the risk of a serious bloodborne disease is said to be very low.

 

5. About 300 Russian children sick after immunization

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/MED-RUSSIA-IMMUNIZATION_4901595/MED-RUSSIA-IMMUNIZATION_4901595/

Moscow, Russia. 300 Russian children fall ill due to alleged faulty meningitis vaccines.

 

 

Photograph Credit: Department for International Development/Russell Watkins
About the author

Bunny St. Marie

Bunny St. Marie is a passionate health advocate and loving mother to three children. She enjoys freelance writing and has dedicated the past 5 years to researching risks surrounding vaccines. The discoveries of her ongoing investigation into vaccines motivates her to share her findings with other concerned parents.