Vaccination
Exemption Letter # 3
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Patient Name_______________________________
Birthdate_______________
As the parent/guardian
of __________________________, I have investigated the risks and benefits
of the following vaccines and diseases. I am aware that there are documented
cases of people contracting diseases for which they are clinically fully
immunized and that the manufacturers of the vaccines do not guarantee
100% efficacy. I am also aware that VAERS
(Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) documented cases of over 54,000
adverse reactions from vaccines in a 20-month period. The National Vaccine
Injury Fund, created in 1986 to compensate those damaged by vaccines
has paid out over one billion dollars in compensation to date.
POLIO: I
have been informed of the risk of my child developing paralytic disease
and meningitis associated with poliomyelitis. I understand that even
under epidemic conditions, natural polio produces no symptoms in over
90% of those exposed to it.(1) I understand that there have been no
cases of wild polio in the US in the last 20 years and that those cases
which have been documented have been caused by the vaccine.(2) I understand
the following side effects for the vaccine are possible: Killed virus
polio: temperature of "102° in up to 38%, sleepiness, fussiness,
crying, decreased appetite, vomiting, Guillain-Barré Syndrome
and allergic reaction in those allergic to neomycin, polymyxin B and
streptomycin. Precautions include those who have had a previous negative
reaction, pregnant women, and possibly those with HIV/AIDS or otherwise
compromised immune systems. Live virus polio: Reactions include contraction
of polio by those who have received the virus and by those who have
come into contact with body fluids and wastes of the immunized person.
Paralytic symptoms may follow contraction of polio. Live virus is reportedly
shed for up to 8 weeks after the inoculation. Guillain-Barré
Syndrome has also been noted. Not recommended for use in households
where someone has a compromised immune system, for pregnant women, or
where a previous reaction has been reported.(3) Killed virus ipol is
grown on monkey kidney cells, contains formaldehyde, and triple antibiotics.
Poliovax is grown on cells from an aborted baby, contains formaldehyde,
cow serum and triple antibiotic solution.(4) The monkey kidney cells
used in the original killed polio vaccine contains SIV-40 and has been
found in tumor cells of children whose parent's were vaccinated against
polio using the contaminated virus.(5) The live vaccine is grown on
monkey kidney cells, antibiotics and calf serum.
Initial_____________Date________
HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE B: I have been informed of the
risk of my child developing meningitis (although this vaccine will not
protect the child from meningitis from all other forms such as pneumococcus,
and meningococcus, viruses, and fungi), pneumonia, and infections of
the blood, joints, bone, and soft tissue associated with Hemophilus
Influenzae B. I understand that this disease is most likely in children
up to 15 months of age and is fatal in 3-6% of children who contract
it. Incidence of this disease today is low and the vaccine has not proven
to be highly effective in 41% of cases, according to some studies.(6)
Treatment is available. The vaccine is often combined with the DPT which
has the highest reaction rate of any vaccine available today. Reactions
include: contracting HIB, localized pain, erythema and induration, fever
>100.6°, irritability, lethargy, anorexia, rhinorrhea, diarrhea,
vomiting, cough, when administered alone. Reactions occurred in up to
30% of patients. When administered in conjunction with the DPT, reactions
include local tenderness erythema and induration, fever >100.8°,
irritability, drowsiness, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, persistent crying,
seizures, urticaria, hives, renal failure, Guillain-Barré Syndrome
and death. Reactions occurred in up to 77.9% of patients.(7) The vaccine
contains yeast, thimerosal (mercury derivative), and diphtheria toxoid
when given alone.(8)
Initial______________Date_______
PERTUSSIS:
I have been informed of the risk of my child developing whooping cough,
pneumonia, convulsions, inflammation of the brain, and death associated
with pertussis. I understand the disease is rarely fatal, with a 99.8%
recovery rate. It is most serious and life-threatening in children under
6 months old, but there are adequate methods of treatment available.(9)
The vaccine is most often given in conjunction with diphtheria and tetanus
as the DPT or as the DaPT. Pertussis vaccine may cause: fevers >106,
pain swelling, diarrhea, projectile vomiting, excessive sleepiness,
high--pitched screaming, inconsolable crying bouts, seizures, convulsions,
collapse, shock, breathing problems, brain damage and SIDS. One in 600
suffer a severe reaction in one study (10) and 1 in 875 suffered shock-collapse
and convulsions.(11) Those in the 2nd study were only tracked for the
first 48 hours following immunization. A more recent study indicates
that 1 in 100 react with convulsions, collapse, or high-pitched screaming
and 1 in 3 of those cases sustained permanent brain damage.(12) In a
study of 103 children who died of SIDS, 70% died within 3 weeks of the
DPT vaccine and 37% of those died within the first week.(13) The DaPT
is recommended as a safer option for vaccination. Side effects of the
DaPT were only tracked for 72 hours and included: tenderness, erythema,
induration, fever >102.2°, drowsiness, fretfulness, vomiting,
upper respiratory infection, diarrhea, rash, febrile seizures, persistent
or unusual crying, lethargy, hypronic-hyporesponsive episode, urticaria,
anaphylactic shock, convulsions, encephalopathy, mono- and polyneuropathies
and death.(14) Not recommended for children under 15 months or for those
who have not had 3 injections of the DPT. Either form of the vaccine
contains thimerosal (mercury derivative), formaldehyde, and aluminum
phosphate.(15)
Initial______________Date________
DIPHTHERIA:
I have been informed of the risk of my child developing paralysis, heart
failure, or respiratory failure associated with diphtheria. I have also
been informed that there have only been 5 cases reported annually since
1980.(16) I am also aware that diphtheria is rarely fatal and treated
with antibiotics and bed rest. (17) The Diphtheria component is most
often given within the DPT or DaPT and includes the same side effects
and reactions as those listed for pertussis.
Initial_______________Date________
TETANUS:
I have been informed of the risk of my child developing fatal neuromuscular
disease related to tetanus. I understand that the incidence of tetanus
is low, and there is an antitoxin, should we decline the immunization.
I understand that contracting tetanus does not provide life-long immunity,
and neither does the vaccine. I understand that to prevent more severe
reactions from the vaccine, the tetanus component has been so significantly
"diluted" that it is clinically ineffective.(18) I understand
that the death rate for properly treated cases of tetanus may be as
high as 20%.(19) Side effects of the tetanus vaccine alone include:
high fever, pain, recurrent abscess formation, inner ear nerve damage,
demyelinating neuropathy, anaphylactic shock and loss of consciousness.(20)
Tetanus given in the DPT or DaPT shot include the same side effects
and reactions as those listed for pertussis.
Initial________________Date________
RUBEOLA (MEASLES):
I have been informed of the risk of my child developing pneumonia,
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), degenerative disease of the
nervous system with convulsions (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis)
related to rubeola. I understand the death rate for measles is .03 in
100,000.(21) I understand that since 1984, over 55% of documented, confirmed
cases of measles have been in fully immunized persons.(22) I understand
that the greatest risk of the measles vaccine may be to push the incidence
of this disease into the late teens and adulthood where it is more likely
to be fatal or cause more adverse and long-term effects.(23) The measles
vaccine is a live vaccine, and carries the risk that it will cause the
patient to contract measles. Other adverse reactions include: stinging
or burning at the injection site, anaphylaxis, fever up to one month
following injection, rash, cough, rhinitis, erythema multiforme, lymphadenopathy,
urticaria, diarrhea, febrile convulsions, seizures, thrombocytopenia,
purpura, vasculitis, optic neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis, papillitis,
retinitis, encephalitis and encephalopathy, ocular palsies, Guillain-Barré
Syndrome, ataxia, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.(24) Measles
vaccine is most often given as a part of the MMR which includes the
following side effects: burning or stinging at injection site, malaise,
sore throat, cough, rhinitis, headache, dizziness, fever, rash, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, erythema, induration, tenderness, lymphadenopathy,
parotitius, orchitis, nerve deafness, thrombocytopenia, purpura, allergic
reactions, urticaria, polyneuritis, arthralgia, arthritis, anaphylaxis,
vasculitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, febrile convulsions, seizures,
syncope, erythema multiforme, optic neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis,
papillitis, retinitis, encephalitis and encephalopathy, ocular palsies,
Guillain-Barré Syndrome, ataxia, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis,(25)
and a recent study from Europe indicates that there may be a link between
the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine and autism and irritable bowel
syndrome.(26) Measles vaccine contains chick embryo cells, neomycin,
sorbitol and hydrolyzed gelatin. MMR contains all live vaccines, chick
embryo, cells from aborted babies, neomycin, sorbitol and hydrolyzed
gelatin.(27)
Initial_________________Date________
MUMPS: I
have been informed of the risk of my child developing inflammation of
the testicles, joints, kidneys, and/or thyroid, and hearing impairment
related to mumps. I understand that mumps is rarely harmful in childhood,
and that most of the above risks occur when mumps is contracted in adolescence
or adulthood.(28) I understand that there is a Mumps vaccine which poses
the following risks: contraction of mumps from the live vaccine, burning
or stinging at the injection site, anaphylaxis, cough, rhinitis, fever,
diarrhea, vasculitis, parotitis, orchitis, purpura, urticaria, erythema
multiforme, optic neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis, syncope, encephalitis,
febrile seizures, and nerve deafness.(29) Mumps is usually given in
the MMR and may cause those side effects and adverse reactions as noted
in the measles section above. Mumps vaccine is live and should not be
given to pregnant women. It is cultured in chick embryos and contains
sorbitol and hydrolyzed gelatin.(30)
Initial_________________Date________
RUBELLA
(GERMAN MEASLES): I have been informed of the
risk of my child developing inflammation of the brain or joints, and
of the risk of birth defects (including eye defects, heart defects,
deafness, mental retardation, growth failure, jaundice, and disorders
of blood clotting) in infants born to mothers who contract rubella during
pregnancy, related to rubella. Therefore, I understand that the greatest
risk to my child may be if she never contracts rubella as a child, but
when she is pregnant and it damages her unborn child. If she contract
rubella in childhood, she is immune for life, and prior to the vaccine
85% of the population was immune.(31) I understand that if she is not
immune as an adult, she can choose to take the vaccine prior to becoming
pregnant. I understand that many of those who contract rubella have
been immunized (up to 80%). (32) Adverse reactions among teenage girls
is 5-10% and 30% in adult women.(33) Adverse reactions include: contracting
rubella from the live virus in the vaccine, burning or stinging at the
site, lymphadenopathy, urticaria, rash, malaise, sore throat, fever,
headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, polyneuritis, arthralgia,
arthritis, local pain and inflammation, erythema multiforme, cough,
rhinitis, vasculitis, anaphylaxis, syncope, optic neuritis, retrobulbar
neuritis, papillitis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, encephalitis,
thrombocytopenia, purpura, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (34) Rubella
is most often administered in the MMR and may cause those side effects
and adverse reactions listed under measles. Rubella is cultured on the
tissue of an aborted child; the 27th child aborted and tested due to
exposure by his mother when she was pregnant. It contains neomycin,
sorbitol and hydrolyzed gelatin.(35)
Initial_________________Date________
HEPATITIS B:
I have been informed of the risk of my child developing Hepatitis B
viral infection which can cause chronic inflammation of the liver leading
to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and possibly death. I understand that my
child's risk of developing Hepatitis B is low if I am not a carrier
or infected, if my child does not engage in promiscuous sex or use drugs.
I understand that there is antibiotic treatment for HepB and that most
of those who contract it recover.(36) I understand that the HepB vaccine
only contains strains of HepB and is not effective against HepA, C,
D, E, F, or G. I understand that the HepB vaccine has the following
side effect and adverse reactions: induration, erythema, swelling, fever,
headache, dizziness, pain, prutitus, ecchymosis, sweating, malaise,
chills, weakness, flushing, tingling, hypotension, flu-like symptoms,
upper respiratory illness, nausea, anorexia, abdominal pain and cramping,
vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, lymphadenopathy, pain or stiffness
in muscles and joints, arthralgia, myalgia, back pain, rash, urticaria,
petechiae, sleepiness, insomnia, irritability, agitation, anaphylaxis,
angioedema, arthritis, tachycardia/palpitations, bronchospasm, abnormal
liver function tests, dyspepsia, migraine, syncope, paresis neuropathy,
hypothesis, paresthesis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Bell's Palsy,
transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis, thrombocytopenia,
eczema, purpura, herpes zoster, erythema modosum, alopecia, conjunctivitis,
keratisis, visual disturbances, vertigo, tinnitus, earache, and dysuria.(37)
The studies only followed patients for 4 days post vaccination. The
most commonly used HepB vaccine contains thimerosal, although a relatively
new release does not contain thimerosal. The vaccine also contains:
aluminum hydroxide, yeast protein, and phosphate buffers.(38)
Initial_________________Date________
VARICELLA (CHICKENPOX):
I have been informed of the risk of my child developing chicken pox
which could potentially result in pneumonia, secondary skin or generalized
infections, or, if caught during pregnancy, birth defects in the baby.
I understand chicken pox is generally benign in children, but results
in significant lost hours at work for parents. Chicken pox in adults
often manifests as shingles, a chronic and painful condition. I also
understand that contracting chicken pox later in life may increase my
risk for herpes simplex. Side effects and adverse reactions for the
chicken pox vaccine include: contracting chicken pox from the live vaccine
(27%), pain and redness at site, swelling, erythema, rash, pruritus,
hematoma, induration, stiffness, upper respiratory illness, cough, irritability/nervousness,
fatigue, disturbed sleep, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, otitis,
diaper rash/contact rash, nausea, eye complaints, chills, lymphadenopathy,
myalgia, lower respiratory illness, headache, teething, malaise, abdominal
pain, other rash, allergic reactions including rash and hives, stiff
neck, heat rash/prickly hear, arthralgia, eczema/dry skin/dermatitis,
constipation, itching, pneunonitis, febrile seizures, and cold/canker
sore.(39) Varicella vaccine is cultured on cells from aborted babies,
and guinea pig cell cultures. It contains live virus, glutamate, sucrose,
phosphate, processed gelatin, neomycin and fetal calf serum. (40)
Initial_________________Date________
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Reference List
1. M. Burnet and D. White, The Natural History of Infectious Disease
(Cambridge, 1972), pg. 16.
2. Strebel, et al, "Epidemology in the U.S. One Decade After the
Last Reported Case of Indigenous Wild Virus Associated Disease,"
Clinical Infectious Diseases, (Center for Disease Control, February
1992), pp. 568-79.
3. Physician's Desk Reference (PDR), 50th Edition; Medical Economics,
1996, pp. 1388-1390.
4. Ibid, pp. 885-8860and 891-892.
5. J. Butel, et al; "Molecular Evidence of Simian Virus 40 Infections
in Children", The Journal of Infectious Diseases ; September 1999;180:884-887.
6. PDR, 50th Edition, pp. 872-875.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Richard Moskowitz, M.D., "Immunizations: The Other Side,"
Mothering, (Spring1984), pg. 34.
10. Immunization: Survey of Recent Research, (United States Department
of Health and Human Services, April 1983), pg. 76.
11. "Nature and Rates of Adverse Reactions Associated with DPT
and DT Immunizations...," Pediatrics, Volume 68, No. 5 (November
1981).
12. Walene James, Immunization the Reality Behind the Myth, (South Hadley,
Massachusetts: Bergin & Garvey, 1988), pg. 14.
13. W.C. Torch, "Diptheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) immunization:
A potential cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)," (Amer.
Academy of Neurology, 34th Annual Meeting, Apr 25 - May 1, 1982), Neurology
32(4), pt. 2.
14. PDR, pp. 875-879 and 892-895.
15. Ibid.
16. Robert Mendelsohn, M.D., How to Raise A Healthy Child...In Spite
of your Doctor (Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1984), pg.223.
17. Ibid. 244-246
18. Isaac Golden, Ph.D., Vaccination? A Review of Risks and Alternatives,
(Geelong, Victoria, Australia: Arum Healing Centre, 1991), pg. 31
19. Richard Moskowitz, M.D., "Immunizations: The Other Side,"
Mothering, (Spring1984), pg. 34.
20. Isaac Golden, Ph.D., Vaccination? A Review of Risks and Alternatives;
pg. 71
21. R. Mendoholson; How to Raise a Healthy Child; pg. 217.
22. John Frank Jr., M.D., et al. "Measles Elimination - Final Impediments,"
20th Immunization Conference Proceedings, May 6-9, 1985, pg. 21.
23. Infectious Diseases (January 1982), pg. 21.
24. PDR, pp. 1610-1611.
25. PDR, pp. 1687-1689.
26. Sara Solovitch, "Do vaccines spur autism in kids?", San
Jose Mercury News, 5/25/99.
27. PDR, pp. 1687-89, 1610-1611.
28. Richard Moskowitz, M.D., "Immunizations: The Other Side,"
Mothering, (Spring1984), pg. 35.
29. PDR, pp.1708-1709.
30. Ibid.
31. R. Mendoholson; How to Raise a Healthy Child; pg. 218.
32. Dr. Beverley Allan, Australian Nurses Journal, (May 1978).
33. Hannah Allen, Don't Get Stuck: The Case Against Vaccinations...,
(Oldsmar, FL: Natural Hygiene Press, 1985), pg. 144.
34. PDR, pp. 1697-1699.
35. Ibid and Attenuation Of RA 27/3 Rubella Virus in WI-38 Human Diploid
Cells; Amer J Dis Child vol 118 Aug 1969 and Studies of Immunization
With Living Rubella Virus ; Arch J Dis Child vol 110 Oct 1965.
36. John Hanchette, "Safety of controversial hepatitis B vaccine
at center of debate" Gannett News Service, 5/18/99.
37. PDR, pp. 1744-1747, 2482-2484.
38. Ibid.
39. PDR, pp. 1762-1765.
40. Ibid.
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