VAERS, 1986 and Why it Matters
What is it? This excerpt below is taken directly from the official VAERS website https://vaers.hhs.gov/about.html
"Established in 1990, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national early warning system to detect possible safety problems in U.S.-licensed vaccines. VAERS is co-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS accepts and analyzes reports of adverse events (possible side effects) after a person has received a vaccination. Anyone can report an adverse event to VAERS. Healthcare professionals are required to report certain adverse events and vaccine manufacturers are required to report all adverse events that come to their attention.
VAERS is a passive reporting system, meaning it relies on individuals to send in reports of their experiences to CDC and FDA. VAERS is not designed to determine if a vaccine caused a health problem, but is especially useful for detecting unusual or unexpected patterns of adverse event reporting that might indicate a possible safety problem with a vaccine. This way, VAERS can provide CDC and FDA with valuable information that additional work and evaluation is necessary to further assess a possible safety concern. "
What Happened in 1986?
The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 was passed by Congress. It wasn't JUST to create a fund to pay out compensation to the injured vaccine recipients. But that is what I'm talking about here. People no longer could SUE THE MAKERS of these products. The Pharmaceutical Companies can not be held liable for damages caused by the vaccines they were selling. Instead, the injured (or the families of those who HAVE DIED) can make a claim and if approved, receive a payout from the National Vaccine Compensation Program.
My Questions:
No Vaccine is tested using the gold standard of double blind placebo (they claim its unethical) then how can we truly know ALL possible side effects? If those possible side effects aren't listed on the inserts, the doctors won't know to report them! (neither will parents) So the reported events are probably WAY WAY under reported.
If the doctors say these childhood vaccines ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE -- Why on earth did the government create a reporting system for the Adverse Effects in the first place? Hint Hint, its because they AREN'T safe OR effective.
And Why did they prohibit anyone damaged by these products from suing the companies who make them (who are supposed to be responsible for safety testing)?
If they are so safe and effective why do families continue to be financially compensated?
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
The vaccines start being offered during pregnancy (nurse or Dr. comes in during your prenatal appointment and says, have you received your whooping cough vaccine yet?) and then continue as your child is taken for their "well baby visits". Even on Day 1, HepB vaccine is offered! Day 1! It is your job as the parent to determine what is safe and give YOUR consent. The medical schools in this country are funded partially by pharmaceutical companies. Doctors receive their safety data from the manufacturers themselves. And if the manufacturers are not liable for any damages, it can make one wonder if the waters get muddied with profits in mind over safety.
Its never too early OR too late to begin doing your OWN research. Don't just take someone elses word for it. Don't take MY word. Dig in, Learn, and Question. I know its not easy to do but there ARE resources from those before us who have dedicated YEARS of research. But Your child's health is worth the effort.
With love,
Gloria