Letter/email to CBS Morning News

CBS News this morning (1/23/02) aired a report, which can be heard below, and which needs to be responded to re: the IOM’s report on MMR and Autism.

Please consider writing a letter/email to CBS news.  Listed below the link to the program are some notes that someone put together to aid in composing such a letter/email.

Sandy Mintz

http://www.cbsnews.com/now/story/0,1597,313161-412,00.shtml

Video stream of the report by Dr Senay

The Brighton Collaboration is international and is developing standardized case definitions for adverse events following immunizations. For further information: www.brightoncollaboration.org

IOM Report on MMR and Autism. The Committee concludes that the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship at the population level between MMR vaccine and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The committee bases this conclusion on the following evidence: 1) a consistent body of epidemiological evidence shows no association at the population level, 2) the original case series of children with ASD and bowel symptoms and other available case reports are uninformative with respect to causality, and 3) there is no relevant animal model linking MMR vaccine and ASD. However, the committee notes that its conclusions do not exclude the possibility that MMR vaccine could contribute to ASD in a small number of children. For further information: www.iom.edu/imsafety

Update on thimerosal. Hib is thimerosal free. Infant and childhood hepatitis B vaccine is thimerosal free. DtaP is reduced or thimerosal free among the two DtaP manufacturers still marketing vaccine. IPV, PCV, MMR, varicella, and hepatitis A vaccines are thimerosal free. Influenza, Td, and DT do contain thimerosal. The option was presented to prefer thimerosal free vaccines. A major issue would be influenza vaccine and DT. No change in policy was made given the dramatic reductions in thimerosal and the small amounts left in just a few vaccines so no cumulative exposure issue.

http://www.immunizationed.org/Reports.asp

IOM Thimerosal

No direct evidence supports the hypothesis linking thimerosal to neurodevelopmental injuries. But it is biologically plausible based on indirect information. Evidence is inadequate. IOM recommends the use of thimerosal free DtaP, Hib, and hepatitis B vaccines.

. Vaccine supply and Thimerosal

In provider offices, of 65,909 doses, 5.5% contained thimerosal as of Sept 10-17, 2001. Much (36%) was DtaP-Hib for the fourth dose of the series.

In a depot study, of 837,174 doses, 1% was thimerosal containing; of this, 80% was DtaP.

In CDC contracts, over 780,000 DtaP doses on back-order. Situation worsened last month by 50,000 doses. Of projects, 15 had no DtaP supply and 27 had an inventory less than or equal to 15 days. Only 61% of CDC orders are being met in a timely way. Aventis is limiting shipment quantities to private providers.

. Manufacturers Perspectives

Tom Zink from Glaxo Smith Kline said 400,000 DtaP doses released by FDA. Offering a voluntary exchange program for Engerix with thimerosal.

Tom Vernon from Merck indicated that they no longer distribute hepatitis B with thimerosal.

Peter Paradiso from Wyeth indicated that their routine pediatric vaccines do not have thimerosal.

Phil Hosback from Aventis indicated that their DtaP are now thimerosal free.

. A CDC study of thimerosal showed lower levels of blood mercury than predicted using the 45 day half life for mercury. Mercury was detected in stool showing fecal excretion that was not known before for mercury compound in thimerosal. Studies in monkeys are underway.

. Working Group

A framework for a writing group was presented. A writing group met for 2 hours in the evening to develop the provisional 3rd Joint Statement on Thimerosal containing vaccines from AAFP, AAP, ACIP, and PHS.

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.