K.N.O.W. Vaccines - Frequently Asked Questions About Vaccines

Home Religious Exemption Resource Links About Us FAQs The Vaccine Controversy Florida Statutes Contact

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VACCINES

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Infants & Pre-School Children

Hepatitis B: Dose 1: Between 0 and 2 months; Dose 2: Between 1 and 4 months; Dose 3: Between 6 and 18 months
Pneumococcal Conjugate: Dose 1: 2 months; Dose 2: 4 months; Dose 3: 6 months; Dose 4: Between 12 and 15 months
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP): Dose 1: 2 months; Dose 2: 4 months; Dose 3: 6 months; Dose 4: Between 15 and 18 months; Dose 5: Between 4 and 6 years
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Dose 1: Between 12 and 15 months; Dose 2: Between 4 and 6 years
H. influenzae type B (Hib): Dose 1: 2 months; Dose 2: 4 months; Dose 3: 6 months; Dose 4: Between 12 and 15 months
Varicella: Dose 1: Between 12 and 18 months; Dose 2: Between 11 and 12 years
Inactivated Polio (IPV): Dose 1: 2 months; Dose 2: 4 months; Dose 3: Between 6 and 18 months; Dose 4: Between 4 and 6 years

How Vaccines are Distributed:: 7 vaccines at 2 months; 7 vaccines at 4 months; 6 vaccines at 6 months; 10 vaccines at approximately 15 months; 7 vaccines at approximately age 5

Note: If the American Academy of Pediatrics Vaccination Schedule is adhered to, thirty (30) of the recommended vaccines are administered before the age of two. Many of the vaccines are typically administered as "vaccine cocktails", meaning combined or together with other vaccines.

TOP

Questions to ask BEFORE vaccination

Most people put more research into the car they buy than the medical procedures they consent to or the medications they take. This is especially true of vaccinations. Vaccination is a medical procedure that carries a risk of injury or death. As a parent, it is your responsibility to become educated about the benefits and risks of vaccines in order to make the most informed and responsible vaccination decisions.

If you choose to give your child a vaccine, you can minimize the risk of detrimental effect or a reaction by asking the following questions:

Is my child sick right now?
Has my child had a reaction to a previous vaccine?
Does anyone in our family have history of:
vaccine reactions
convulsions or neurological disorders
severe allergies
immune system disorders
Do I know if my child is at high risk for adverse reaction?
Do I have full information on the vaccine's side effects?
Do I know how to identify a vaccine reaction?
Do I know how to report a vaccine reaction?
Do I know the vaccine manufacturer's name and the lot number?
Have I told the doctor not to give multiple vaccines at once?

You may also want to consider having blood titers drawn by your physician to see if your child already has antibodies for the scheduled vaccines.

<BACK TO BEGINNING OF SECTION>
TOP

What is in a Vaccine?

Phenol (carbolic acid):	A deadly poison; a common disinfectant and dye.
Formaldehyde:	A known cancer-causing agent commonly used to embalm corpses.
Thimerosal (a mercury derivative)	A toxic heavy metal that is not easily eliminated from the body; used as a preservative in vaccines. Can result in brain injury and autoimmune disease. In one study, Thimerosal was shown to be 4 to 6 times more toxic for human cells than for the staphylococci germs.
Alum	A preservative.
Aluminum phosphate	Toxic.
Aluminum & oil adjuvants	Cancer-producing in laboratory mice; also associated with Alzheimer’s disease and seizures. Research findings strongly suggest that aluminum is neurotoxic. The main side effects of oil adjuvants have been hypersensitivity reactions, cysts and adjuvant arthritis.
Acetone	A solvent used in fingernail polish remover.
Glycerin	A tri-atomic alcohol extracted from natural fats which are putrefied and decomposed. Some toxic effects of glycerin are kidney, liver, lung damage, diuresis, pronounced local tissue damage, gastrointestinal damage and death.
Ethylene glycol	Antifreeze.
Neomycin & Streptomycin	Antibiotics; have caused allergic reactions.

Note: When cancer causing elements are found in foods, they are either banned or an obvious warning label appears on the packages. After few accidents, consumer goods are recalled, redesigned, or required to display warning labels (with good reason). There seems to be a double standard for vaccines, however. They hold "privileged status" when it comes to consumer confidence.

<BACK TO BEGINNING OF SECTION>
TOP

Vaccine Fillers and Ingredients

In addition to the viral and bacterial RNA or DNA that is part of the vaccines, vaccine fillers and ingredients include:

aluminum hydroxide
aluminum phosphate
ammonium sulfate
amphotericin B
animal tissues: pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain,
dog kidney, monkey kidney,
chick embryo, chicken egg, duck egg
calf (bovine) serum
betapropiolactone
fetal bovine serum
formaldehyde
formalin
gelatin
glycerol
human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)
hydrolized gelatin
monosodium glutamate (MSG)
neomycin
neomycin sulfate
phenol red indicator
phenoxyethanol (antifreeze)
potassium diphosphate
potassium monophosphate
polymyxin B
polysorbate 20
polysorbate 80
porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein
residual MRC5 proteins
sorbitol
sucrose
thimerosal (mercury)
tri(n)butylphosphate
VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells
washed sheep red blood cells

The above information was compiled from the following two publications:

What About Immunizations? Exposing the Vaccine Philosophy, by Cynthia Cournoyer. Nelson's Books. Santa Cruz, CA; 1995.

The Health Studio Newsletter (Volume 1, Oct. 1997) Vaccine Fillers and Ingredients

In many cases the vaccine additives are far more toxic than the viral component. This is particularly true for thimerosal, which is mercury. In 2000, Congress "strongly recommended" that the pharmaceutical companies take the thimerosol out of vaccines (it was not mandated; simply recommended). The drug companies were not told to take the existing lots off the market. The recommendation only applies to new product lines manufactured. An unknown amount of vaccine containing thimerosal (mercury) may still be on the shelves.

This additional information is taken from: Dr. Mercola Newsletter, March 7, 2001 at www.mercola.com

<BACK TO BEGINNING OF SECTION>
TOP

What is a Vaccine Adverse Reaction?

A vaccine adverse reaction is defined by The Merck Manual as having the same neurological complications as from a viral disease:

"Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis … is characterized by perivascular Cental Nervous System demyelination, which can occur spontaneously but usually follows a viral infection or viral vaccination (or, very rarely, bacterial vaccination), suggesting an immunologic cause. Acute inflammatory peripheral neuropathies that follow a viral vaccination or the guillain-barré syndrome … are similar demyelinating disorders with the same presumed immunopathogenesis, but they affect only peripheral structures."

http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section14/chapter180/180a.htm

From The Encylopedia Brittanica:

"Encephalitis, plural Encephalitides, inflammation of the brain; from Greek enkephalos ("brain") and itis ("inflammation") ... Encephalitis is most often caused by the direct or indirect action of an infective organism and sometimes by such noninfective agents as chemicals.

Although encephalitis can be produced by many different types of organisms, such as bacteria, protozoa, and helminths (worms), viruses are the most frequent causal agents.

Among children, a large number of acute encephalitides are of the type known as demyelinating encephalitis, which may develop as a complication of such viral diseases as measles or chicken pox OR AS A RESULT OF VACCINATION against such viral diseases as smallpox. It is so-called because damage is not done to the nerve cell body but to the insulation (myelin sheath) surrounding the nerve fibers. Multiple sclerosis is the best known of another group of encephalitides in which there is injury to the myelin.

Among the chemicals that occasionally produce encephalitis are lead, arsenic, MERCURY, ethyl alcohol, chlorinated hydrocarbons, morphine, and barbiturates. Symptoms common to most types of encephalitis are: fever, headache, drowsiness, lethargy, coma, tremors, and a stiff neck and back. CONVULSIONS MAY OCCUR IN PATIENTS OF ANY AGE BUT ARE MOST COMMON IN INFANTS. Characteristic neurological signs include uncoordinated and involuntary movements, weakness of the arms, legs, or other portions of the body, or unusual sensitivity of the skin to various types of stimuli. The symptoms, signs, and an examination of the cerebrospinal fluid can usually establish the presence of encephalitis, but they do not necessarily establish the cause, which often remains unknown. This situation makes specific treatment difficult, and even when the causative virus is known, there may be no drugs effective against it ... The symptoms remaining after recovery from the acute phase of brain inflammation vary considerably, depending on the type of encephalitis and on the age and general health of the patient ... ANY FORM OF ENCEPHALITIS IN YOUNG CHILDREN MAY DAMAGE THE BRAIN SO THAT IT CAN NO LONGER DEVELOP PROPERLY."

http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/6/0,5716,33156+1,00.html

Note: Merck cautions that children with fluctuating or progressive neurologic disease should not be immunized until their condition has been stabilized for at least one year because of the risk of cerebral irritation … children with known or suspected immunodeficiency disease should not receive any live virus vaccines, since they could initiate a severe or fatal infection. Patients with either B or T cell immunodeficiencies should not be given live vaccines (e.g., measles, mumps, rubella, poliovirus, BCG) because of the risk of vaccine-induced illness, and family members should not receive live poliovirus vaccine."

<BACK TO BEGINNING OF SECTION>
TOP

Adverse Vaccine Reactions of Various Vaccines
Pertussis \| Diphtheria \| Tetanus \| Measles \| Mumps \| Rubella \| Polio \| Hepatitis
The Pertussis Vaccine
The following severe reactions are recognized by the official vaccine policy-makers and are reasons NOT to give additional pertussis vaccine: Allergic hypersensitive reaction: Hives, swelling of the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, hypertension and shock within minutes or an hour of the shot. Shock/Collapse (within 3 hours). High pitched screaming or persistent crying for three hours or more. High temperature (>103 degrees). Excessive sleepiness (infant cannot be aroused) Convulsions Encephalopathy: Bulging fontanel, sudden eye crossing, inability to move arm or leg, repetitive movements of any part of the body, negative change or regression in physical, emotional or intellectual behavior. The following reactions are suspected severe reactions: Severe local reaction: Pain, redness, soreness or swelling around the site of injection (can be followed by more involved systemic or neurological reactions after subsequent dose). General systemic reactions: Body rash, vomiting or diarrhea within hours of the shot, loss of appetite, loss of weight, chronic diarrhea, ear and respiratory infections, new allergies. Thrombocytopenia & Hemolyic anemia (blood disorders) Diabetes & Hypoglycemia NOTE: Besides the serious reactions to DPT, it is not uncommon for a parent to describe how the previously healthy child has become chronically ill: suffering from a constant runny nose, bronchial congestions, ear infections, and/or the onset of allergies, all of which are resistant to antibiotics, antihistamines and other medications. Additional facts: The benefits of the pertussis vaccine do not outweigh the risks. There is a 94 times greater risk of dying from the vaccine than from whooping cough itself.nbsp; There is a 3,888 time greater risk of acquiring long term damage from the vaccine than from whooping cough itself. The vaccine causes more brain damage than whooping cough. While there are about ten deaths per year from the disease, there are at least 943 deaths per year from the vaccine! While there are three cases of long term damage from the disease per year, there are at least 11,666 cases of long-term damage per year from the vaccine! At least half of all pertussis cases occur in partially or fully vaccinated individuals.
The Diphtheria Vaccine	<BACK TO ADVERSE REACTION LIST>
According to the 1990 Physician's Desk Reference, the possible reactions to this vaccine include: Subcutaneous atrophy at site of injection Drowsiness - Pallor - Coldness - Hypo-responsiveness Fretfulness - Persistent crying Vomiting - Anorexia Convulsions Encephalopathy Guillain-Barre syndrome Urticaria - Erythema - Arthralgias Anaphylactic reactions Additional Facts: Diphtheria can be regularly found in throat cultures, but it is not causing disease. Diphtheria has occurred in vaccinated individuals.
The Tetanus Vaccine	<BACK TO ADVERSE REACTION LIST>
The possible side effects from this vaccine include: Subcutaneous atrophy at site of injection Drowsiness - Pallor - Coldness - Hypo-responsiveness Fretfulness - Persistent crying Vomiting - Anorexia Convulsions Encephalopathy Guillain-Barre syndrome Urticaria - Erythema - Arthralgias Anaphylaxis (a form of shock) & Anaphylactic reactions Brachial plexus neuropathy (can lead to paralysis of the arm) Additional Facts: With only approximately 50 cases of tetanus a year (compared to other notable diseases such as tuberculosis at more than 20,000 cases a year), tetanus is very hard to get. Tetanus infects only wounds that contain dead tissue, and it is not contagious. Good wound hygiene is the best protection from the anaerobic bacteria. Tetanus booster vaccinations cause T-lymphocyte blood count ratios to temporarily drop below normal, similar to those found in victims of AIDS. A child has a much greater chance of dying in a fatal auto accident than the chance of getting tetanus.
The Measles Vaccine	<BACK TO ADVERSE REACTION LIST>
Possible reactions to the measles vaccine include: Fever with rash - Malaise - Headache - Nausea - Sore Throat Seizure disorder Aseptic Meningitis Regional lymphodeopathy - Erythema Thrombocytopenia Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis Encephalopathy Optic neuritis - Retinitis - Ocular palsies Guillain-Barre syndrome Hyperactivity Additional Facts: The measles vaccine can destroy the protective sheath covering the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. The onset of autism after the MMR vaccine has also been reported. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), chances are about 14 time greater that measles will be contracted by those vaccinated against the disease than by those who are left alone. Between 61% - 90% of the measles cases occur in previously vaccinated children.
The Mumps Vaccine	<BACK TO ADVERSE REACTION LIST>
Side effects of the mumps vaccine are similar to the measles vaccine; also include: Inflammation of the parotid glands Effects on the central nervous system (seizures, unilateral nerve deafness) Additional Facts: Mumps is not a harmful disease in children, however there are adverse side effects from the vaccine including meningitis and encephalitis. A natural case of mumps confers permanent immunity, yet previously vaccinated children still get mumps.
The Rubella Vaccine	<BACK TO ADVERSE REACTION LIST>
Side effects are similar to the measles and mumps vaccines, and also include: Arthralgia - Arthritis Fibrositis - Fibromyalgia Rheumatic Fever Rheumatoid Arthritis Neurologic damage Heart disease Thyroid disease Diabetes
The Polio Vaccine	<BACK TO ADVERSE REACTION LIST>
The polio's primary reaction is that it can directly cause polio. The polio vaccine has recently been implicated in possibly causing AIDS. Some of the viruses found in the polio vaccine have been shown to cause leukemia and tumors in laboratory animals. Damage suits during the 1950's epidemic of polio gave indisputable proof that it was both the Salk and Sabin vaccines that caused numerous cases of encephalitis, paralysis, and death. Polio was on the decline before the vaccine was introduced in 1956. From 1923 to 1953, the polio death rate in the United States and England had already declined on its own by 47% and 55% respectively. After the vaccine, polio actually increased. From 1954 to 1955, cities and states all over the country reported increases in cases of polio up to 642%!
The Hepatitis Vaccine	<BACK TO ADVERSE REACTION LIST>
The USA and Canada are two countries sharing the lowest incidence of hepatitis B in the world. Almost all hepatitis B deaths in the U.S. are confined to high risk groups. High risk groups include: I.V. street drug users, male homosexuals with multiple partners, HIV/AIDS infected individuals, prostitutes, elderly refugees and immigrants from Africa and the Orient, individuals who have received multiple transfusions, sexual partners of the above groups). Possible reactions include: Pruritus - Erythema - Ecchymosis - Swelling - Nodule formation - Rash Fatigue/Weakness - Headache - Sweating - Malaise - Tingling Nausea - Diarrhea - Anorexia - Abdominal Pain - Dyspepsia - Vomiting Abnormal Liver Function Tests Pharyngitis - Bronchospasm Dizziness - Parathesia - Hypoesthesia Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Bell's Palsy Visual Disturbances - Transverse Myelitis Angioedema - Tachycardia & Palpitations Urticaria - Arthralgia - Myalgia - Lymphadenopathy Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Additional Facts: While the hepatitis vaccine is given to children to prevent a disease that occurs primarily in high-risk adults, there is no evidence of the vaccine's effectiveness after 10 years since the antibodies decline over time. The FDA has not approved the newborn use of this vaccine.
<BACK TO BEGINNING OF SECTION> TOP

How to Minimize Risk of Adverse Reactions

If you choose to give your child a vaccine, an important consideration is WHEN to vaccinate. To minimize the risk of detrimental effect or a reaction, follow these guidelines:

If possible, wait until at least six months of age to vaccinate.

Inject only one type of vaccine at a time.
Wait two months between vaccinations.
NEVER VACCINATE A SICK CHILD.
If there is any adverse reaction, wait one year to vaccinate again;
Report reactions to your pediatrician and to VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System)

Note: In addition to seizure, convulsions, shock, anaphylaxis, paralysis and death, short-term (within 24 hours) adverse reactions include high fever, high-pitched screaming, irritability, sleeplessness, and failure to nurse.

Some children with constitutional weakness are prone to chronic illness and suffer from constant respiratory congestion, infection and allergies. They seem to be especially vulnerable to aggravated illness and/or adverse reaction when vaccinated frequently or aggressively during immunologic weakness. During the first year of life, immune function is in a developmental process.

THE DECISION TO VACCINATE IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical or legal advice.

<BACK TO BEGINNING OF SECTION>
TOP

Reporting Adverse Reactions

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) requires health care providers to report:

Any event listed by the manufacturer as a contraindication to further doses of the vaccine.
Any event in the Reportable Events Table that occurs within the specified time period after vaccination.

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has paid out over 1.2 billion dollars in damages to families of vaccine-injured or vaccine deaths since 1986. Call to obtain an information packet detailing filing a claim, criteria for eligibility, and required documentation. For further information:

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
Parklawn Building, Room 8A-35
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
1-800-338-2382

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national vaccine safety surveillance program co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS collects and analyzes information from reports of adverse events following immunization and that may possibly be related to the vaccines administered. This 12-year old federal database receives approximately 1000 reports a month of adverse events including paralysis, brain damage, shock, encephalopathy, and death. For further information:

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
P.O. Box 1100
Rockville, MD 20849-1100
1-800-822-7967
Fax inquiries: 877-721-0366
Email inquires: info@vaers.org

The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) is a national, non-profit educational organization founded in 1982 advocating reformation of the mass vaccination system. For more information and/or to report an adverse reaction:

National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)
1-800-909-SHOT or 1-703-938-DPT3
Fax inquiries: 703-938-5768
Email inquiries: info@909shot.com

<BACK TO BEGINNING OF SECTION>
TOP