FEAT DAILY NEWSLETTER
Sacramento, California http://www.feat.org
February 4, 2002
News Morgue Search www.feat.org/search/news.asp
·
New Research Fuels MMR Debate: Measles Virus in Guts of
83% Autistic
·
80% Are Opposed to MMR Triple Jab
·
MMR Group’s Cash Links To Vaccine Firm
·
MMR Wrangle Delays Crucial Vaccine Verdict
·
Any Changes In Prevalence Of Autism Must Be Determined
Andrew Wakefield, the doctor who publicly voiced concerns
about the safety of MMR, has not proved the triple jab may cause autism and
bowel disease in some children.
BBC One’s Panorama programme gained exclusive access to
the latest research by scientists, including Wakefield, which is due to be
published in the Journal of Molecular Pathology in April.
In the research Wakefield and his collaborators report
that they have found the measles virus in 83% of gut samples from children with
autism and bowels disorders but only in 7% of children without these
conditions.
However, Panorama reveals the scientists have not proven
any link between the measles virus present in the children’s guts and the
triple vaccine.
This latest development in the MMR furore comes amid
growing fears of a measles outbreak in the UK, after several children
contracted the virus which has left one toddler dangerously ill.
Wakefield first publicly claimed MMR may not be safe in
1998, and recommended the use of single vaccines.
Since he voiced these safety concerns the uptake of MMR
has fallen dramatically leaving more children unvaccinated against measles,
which in extreme cases can prove fatal.
It has taken more than a year for Wakefield’s latest
research to be published - a year during which successions of studies have
denied any link between MMR and autism.
Despite failing to prove the MMR vaccine may harm
children, Mr Wakefield is still convinced the triple jab may cause autism or
bowel disease in some children.
He told Panorama: “You do not combine three live viruses
into one vaccine and assume that it is a benign process.
“These are viruses that are live, they are capable of
establishing long term infection and they are capable of producing long-term
adverse events.”
However the UK Government insists the triple vaccine is
safe, and will not offer parents the choice to opt for single vaccines.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Pat Troop says: “If we
were to offer single vaccines it would suggest to parents that there was a
problem with the vaccine [MMR], we would end up with fewer children vaccinated
rather than more.
“There may be some who might come forward for single
vaccines but I think many more parents would just turn away from the vaccine
and...we would have many more children exposed to serious diseases.”
As the MMR controversy continues Downing Street has again
refused to confirm reports that Tony Blair’s son Leo has been given the MMR
vaccine.
* * *
80% Are Opposed to MMR Triple Jab
[By Hamida Ghafour.]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/02/04/nmmr04.xml&s
Sheet=/portal/2002/02/04/por_right.html
Controversy over the MMR vaccine continued to plague the
Government yesterday, as an NOP poll revealed that eight out of 10 people
believed parents should be given an alternative to the triple jab.
Of those surveyed, 38 per cent were not happy with how the
Government has handled the campaign to get parents to vaccinate children
against measles, mumps and rubella.
The findings come as Tony Blair faces growing criticism
for refusing to reveal whether his son Leo has had the triple jab. An admission
by Mr Blair that Leo had had the MMR vaccine could boost shrinking public confidence
and help to prevent an outbreak of measles.
The Public Health Laboratory has warned that take-up of
MMR has dropped below 85 per cent, but experts say that 95 per cent of the population
must be vaccinated to prevent an epidemic.
According to the poll, commissioned by ITV’s Tonight with
Trevor McDonald, to be broadcast this evening, parents believe they are being “condescended
to” and “patronised” by Mr Blair.
Carol Vorderman, the television presenter who refused to
give her four-year-old son the jab because her daughter had become ill after receiving
the vaccine, will say on the programme: “It is a scandal that we are not given
the option of single vaccinations. It’s a simple thing.”
In the survey, 55 per cent of 1,000 respondents also said
Mr Blair should say whether his son was given the jab, and 85 per cent said the
health service should offer a choice between the triple vaccine, and separate
injections.
Dr Kenneth Aitken, a specialist in the treatment of
autism, believes there is a clear link between autism and the MMR jab.
“When I was training, one in 2,500 [children were
autistic]. Now it is one in 250. At the moment, the only logical explanation
for this is MMR,” he said.
But there are fears that reluctance to vaccinate could
lead to an outbreak of measles. Three children in south London developed
measles last week and another 22 are being investigated.
Meanwhile, a Scottish Executive study on the apparent rise
in autism among children who have had the MMR jab has been delayed by a “matter
of weeks”.
>> DO SOMETHING ABOUT AUTISM NOW <<
Subscribe, Read, then Forward the FEAT Daily
Newsletter.
To Subscribe go to www.feat.org/FEATnews
No Cost!
* * *
MMR Group’s Cash Links To Vaccine Firm
[By Kate Foster.
This mirrors recent findings that on the conflicts of
interests between American vaccine experts, vaccine
regulatory agencies and
related pharacuetical companies, reported last week.]
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/020204/17/criyw.html
An Expert group set up to advise the Scottish executive on
the controversial MMR jab was at the centre of a fresh row last night after it emerged
four of its members have financial links to a pharmaceutical firm which makes
the vaccine.
Campaigners against the triple jab said the revelation
compromised the group’s independence and meant their findings could not be
trusted.
The development comes amid reports the 19-strong group is
likely to make a majority recommendation to continue to give parents no
alternative to the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella.
The publication of their work has been delayed by at least
a month amid speculation the experts are divided on whether to offer parents
single vaccines in the face of a drop in Scottish MMR inoculation rates.
Last night, it emerged the scientist who provoked the
debate on MMR safety, when he published research linking it to autism and bowel
disease , has found more evidence casting doubt on the government’s insistence
the vaccine is safe.
Professor Andrew Wakefield and his collaborator, Professor
John O’Leary, have found autistic children are 12 times more likely to have measles
DNA in their guts following the MMR jab than other children.
According to the Scottish parliament’s expert group’s declaration
of members’ interests, which has been seen by The Scotsman, Professor Eve Johnstone,
a leading psychiatrist and academic at Edinburgh University, has about £10,000
worth of shares in GlaxoSmithKline.
Dr Andrew Riley, the director of public health for Borders
NHS board, has 40 shares in GlaxoSmithKline and Professor Lewis Ritchie, the
head of general practice and primary care at the University of Aberdeen, has single-company
PEP investments in GlaxoSmithKline.
Dr David Goldblatt, a consultant paediatric immunologist
at Great Ormond Street Children’s NHS Trust, has admitted receiving “industrial
support” from a number firms that manufacture vaccines.
The group’s remit includes examining the consequences of
pursuing an alternative vaccine policy to MMR and to review evidence on the
apparent increase in autism.
GlaxoSmithKline is one of several pharmaceutical firms
defending a forthcoming High Court action in London brought by about 2,000 UK
families who believe their children were damaged by vaccines.
The Scottish executive yesterday insisted it expected the
expert group to be “objective and work with integrity”.
A spokeswoman said: “The declaration of interests is not a
secret and was circulated within the group. No action was taken because we did
not feel it was necessary.”
However Bill Welsh, the chairman of Action Against Autism,
said the revelations “seriously compromise the independence of the group” and
called on the executive to research more thoroughly the backgrounds of members
of the medical profession prior to “sensitive appointments”.
He added: “It may well be that the so-called ‘expert group’
was doomed to failure from the beginning.
“Parents in Scotland seeking single vaccines as a choice
will be devastated to learn that members of the group have known financial
links to the vaccine manufacturers.
“When the group was formed, Scotland’s leading experts in
the field of vaccination and autism research were omitted. After strong
representations to the [then] health minister, Susan Deacon ... two have since
been invited to attend, Dr Ken Aitken and Dr Gordon Bell.
“The fact that they were initially disregarded speaks
volumes. It may well be that this group was formed to confirm government
policy, rather than to openly investigate the problems with MMR.”
Prof Wakefield, an expert in bowel disease, was forced to
quit London’s Royal Free Hospital because of his controversial research.
In 1998, he first suggested a link between autism and
bowel disease - a theory backed by thousands of parents who say their children
were developing normally but began to lose speech and play skills after the
jab.
However, the Department of Health says “overwhelming”
scientific evidence shows MMR is not linked to autism and is a safe and
effective vaccine.
Tony Blair’s baby son, Leo, reportedly received the triple
jab last week.
However, the Prime Minister has been criticised for
refusing to confirm it.
* * *
[By Camillo Fracassini cfracassini@scotlandonsunday.com.]
http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/index.cfm?id=129362002
The long-awaited report on the safety of the MMR jab in
Scotland has been delayed following a serious split in the government group set
up to study the controversial vaccine.
Members of the expert committee are deeply divided over
whether to offer parents single vaccines in the face of a huge slump in MMR
inoculation rates across Scotland.
Their report on the safety of the triple measles, mumps
and rubella vaccine - which will influence immunisation policy north of the
Border - will now be delayed for at least a month.
The setback has dismayed health chiefs and politicians,
who said it was crucial the parents of young children were given clear guidance
by the government as soon as possible.
The urgent need for clarification on MMR has been made
even more pressing by a measles outbreak in south London, which has affected 25
children.
Sources on the MMR expert group in Scotland say it now
looks likely it will make a majority recommendation to continue to give parents
no alternative to the triple vaccine.
This is despite opposition from some members of the panel
who believe parents should be offered separate jabs. The MMR vaccine has been
linked to autism and bowel disease.
The 19 group members are now making a last-ditch effort to
reach a consensus, but sources are already warning that some of the experts
could walk out or refuse to back majority recommendations - leading to
accusations of a whitewash and leaving the Scottish Executive’s MMR policy in
disarray.
There were heated discussions at the most recent meeting
of the MMR panel last week. One member said: “The report has had to be delayed.
We have a meeting scheduled for March so it will not be available by the end of
February as was planned.
“We had a full and frank exchange of views at the last
meeting over whether to provide single vaccines on request or only to special
groups.
“Single vaccines are already available but only if you can
pay for them.
“But what about areas of social deprivation, which are the
most likely place for an epidemic, where people simply don’t have the money to
pay for single vaccines privately? This is a real social justice issue.”
Another member of the group - which includes
representatives from the Scottish Society for Autism and the National
Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, as well as government experts -
revealed the deep divisions between the opposing factions.
The source said: “The majority, having discussed single
vaccines as an option in special cases, are unlikely to endorse them in the
final report.
·
Article continues:
http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/index.cfm?id=129362002
* * *
[This essay appears as a letter in the online version
of the British
Medical Journal.]
http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/324/7332/296/a
Because of the current concern over the rising incidence
of autism the BMJ owes its readers better information than a letter based on
comments by a focus group of interested parties.1 Would the journal have
published a letter from a focus group of parents who believed that MMR vaccine
(measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine) had caused their child’s autism? I doubt it.
Rigorous methods are especially important because of a
controversial current hypothesis.2 Fombonne has argued that despite reported
increases in the prevalence of autism in many countries, the true incidence has
remained constant. The impression of an increase, he argues, arises only
because of increased rates of detection.
There is no hard evidence to support this hypothesis.
The only studies
that have explored the question have failed to find a “hidden
horde” of
autistic children. Burd et al conducted a prevalence study
of autism in
North Dakota.3 They found a prevalence of 3.26 per 10 000
among a cohort of
children born between 1967 and 1983. A 12 year follow up
survey of the same
cohort showed that the original prevalence study had found 98%
of the
autistic children in the area; only one child had been
overlooked.4
Nylander and Gillberg screened adult psychiatric outpatients
for evidence of undiagnosed autistic spectrum disorders.5 This population had not
been screened for autism previously. The authors hypothesised that they would
find high rates of undiagnosed autism. The screening procedure located 19
adults with autistic spectrum disorders who had not received a prior diagnosis.
However, the prevalence in this group was only 2.7 per 10 000, a finding that
provides little support for a hidden horde hypothesis. The authors note this
point reluctantly, claiming that the observed prevalences “should be regarded
as an absolute minimum.”
Many scientists and health professionals are uncomfortable
about the data regarding recent increases in rates of autism. A few have
developed extravagant theories as an expression of their discomfort.
Nevertheless, the simplest interpretation of the record supports the conclusion
that the incidence of autism has increased.
To avoid the consequences of complacency the burden of
proof should lie with those who seek to dismiss decades of epidemiological
research as flawed. Yet we are now offered focus groups as a new research tool.
I am surprised that the BMJ would dignify such efforts. Good science demands
that we face the real data, no matter how inconvenient the implications may be.
Mark F Blaxill, father of autistic child.
22 Fayerweather Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Blaxill.Mark@BCG.com
A more detail version of this letter essay was
published a year ago in
this newsletter:
http://www.feat.org/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0102&L=FEATNEWS&P=R3783
>>> PROFESSORS, TEACHERS, TRAINERS
<<<
Autism Continuing Education for
Students Now Available
FEAT Daily Newsletter, NO FEE
For the Knowledge Only, No CEUs
Lenny Schafer, Editor@feat.org • CALENDAR EVENTS@feat.org
Michelle Guppy
Catherine Johnson PhD
• Ron Sleith •
Kay Stammers • Edward Decelie
UNSUBSCRIBE: FEATNews-signoff-request@LIST.FEAT.ORG
ALL
INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE
KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED
AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO
VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU
ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.