Why does a vaccine manufacturer think it is in a position to advise the CDC? - SM

An alert reader wrote:

In the article below, a vaccine manufacturer lobbyist discloses his strategy: mobilize to prevent extending the philosophical exemption to mandatory vaccination beyond the 15 states that have it now—and get the government to help the vaccine manufacturers in this task. “While industry lobbyists will also be working on the national and state level, ‘we don’t have the credibility that others do, so the public health community is important,’ he said.”  Hence he demands that the “public health community” join the vaccine companies in blocking the philosophical exemption.

Since only a tiny percentage of the public exercise the philosophical exemption, it is unclear why the vaccine lobbyists are so adamant at preventing it.  One possibility: development of a larger contingent of philosophical exemptors could threaten the entire system of mandatory vaccination simply by generating debate.  That would cause a multi-billion-dollar loss to the vaccine companies, whose stocks are already struggling.  Then they might have to actually persuade people to buy their products rather than forcing them to.

CDC Neutrality On School Vaccine Exemptions Should Change, PMC Rep Says.

(Geoffrey Peterson, Pasteur Merieux Connaught)

F-D-C Reports Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology, Nov 22,

1999 v61 i47 p19

CDC should reconsider its neutral position on school immunization exemption laws and formally oppose efforts to extend state “philosophic exemption” allowances, Pasteur Merieux Connaught Government Affairs & Public Policy Director Geoffrey Peterson told a Coalition for Health Funding meeting 11/15/99. Peterson urged the CDC “to change its position and not be neutral against philosophical exemption. I think we have to hold the line right now and say it’s time to make a stand.” The meeting was held to discuss issues threatening US immunization levels.

All 50 states currently allow exemptions to school vaccination requirements for medical reasons [actually, only for CDC-approved medical reasons, which are narrow], 48 allow religious exemptions and 15 states allow philosophic exemptions for parents concerned with the safety or overall need for immunization. Peterson’s remarks were in response to a statement by CDC National Immunization Program Director Walter Orenstein, MD, who said the agency plans to continue its neutral stand on school vaccination exemptions, despite increased pressure to change the laws.

“What we are afraid of is that.. .Burton’s hearings are going to result in some major legislative attempt at the state level, because states move faster,” and because the “anti-vaccine” groups have effectively used the Internet to disseminate their message, Peterson said.  “A couple of things we see happening next year that we’re very worried about [are] repeal of school-based mandates [and] increases in legislation for philosophical exemptions,” Peterson added. Vaccine manufacturer lobbyists plan to focus on “trying to contain” the effects of the Burton hearings on Capitol Hill in 2000, Peterson said, noting his uneasiness over the increasing role of anti-vaccine advocates in congressional hearings.

Peterson suggested that the public health representatives attending the Nov. 15 meeting mobilize their lobbyists to help counter the increasingly negative perception of childhood immunization. While industry lobbyists will also be working on the national and state level, “we don’t have the credibility that others do, so the public health community is important,” he said.