|
We know that they are not right about these things, so they must be either lying or stupid. Since “they” includes the FDA in America and New Labour over here, it can’t be the latter, could it be that they’re lying? Information management; the truth and the BBCWhy do we hear no dissenting voice on the media? Why does the BBC allow, for instance, Professor David Salisbury to state, unchallenged and repeatedly on the Today programme, that; Measles rates have risen as a result of the “scandal’”about media scares over MMR. Measles is a dangerous disease. The MMR-Autism link has been disproved. To refuse the vaccine is “irrational”. The first two statements are questionable, the third is plain falsehood: Measles rates have risen as a result of the ‘scandal’ about media scares over MMR Unlikely. The ‘scare’ started in 1999, but as a graph from the 2007 London Assembly reportshows, vaccination rates did not fall until 2002, and not significantly until 2005. Also, DPT vaccination rates fell exactly the same as MMR at the same time. This suggests a loss of faith in the government statements on the whole subject of vaccine safety — just as many young people lost faith in statements on drugs — rather than a response to the media “scare” about MMR. Since rates for all vaccinations have always been much lower in London, other ethnic and cultural factors must play a part as well. Measles is a dangerous disease |
Up to a point, Minister. Since GPs seem to retire in their 40s these days, I wonder if there are many around with experience of managing measles? The MMR vaccine was introduced in the UK in 1988, and there is no doubt that it slashed measles rates, so very few GPs under 60 now will have seen much. But as a GP in the 70s I had responsibility for seeing a number of children through measles, and it was a relatively easy matter for the large majority; rest, quiet, minimal television, fluids, call again if any problems arise. The only serious risk of complications is in children with pre-existing problems or risk factors (living with two smoker parents for example). The real problem with measles is the possible complication of measles encephalitis, which can be fatal, but this only happens in one in several million measles sufferers. As a parent, one has to weigh this against the risk of developing autism or a disease on the autistic spectrum, which is currently at least 1 in 100 for boys, and perhaps as high as 1 in 58; if MMR vaccination contributes to this risk, should you have your child vaccinated with it? The MMR-Autism link has been disproved See above; all the studies that claim to disprove the link have serious questions over their probity and methodology, which are never acknowledged. A reasonable guesstimate of the truth that will no doubt eventually emerge is that MMR is a minor factor in precipitating autism, or perhaps just a common “last straw”, but that toxins, particularly but not only mercury preservatives in vaccines, are a major factor. |