When it comes to vaccines, the intention behind the 1986 Act was to provide consumer protections. Congress recognized that removing liability from manufacturers could leave consumers vulnerable, so they established the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and the Court of Special Masters. However, a ruling by the Supreme Court in 2011 stated that vaccines are “unavoidably unsafe.” This means that vaccines come with risks, and the authors of the 1986 law were aware of this.
In 1986, between birth and 14 years old, there were 11 vaccines and 7 antigens on the childhood schedule over the course of a child’s life from birth to 18.
Today the childhood vaccine schedule has swollen to over 14 large pages of tiny print. It contains 90 doses in about 44 shots of 17 antigens for children from birth to 18 years old. Although COVID vaccines are not included each year on this chart after the 12-month recommendation.
The 1986 law included reporting requirements for healthcare providers, provisions for conducting studies, and keeping records of injuries. However, since the law was passed, not a single follow-up study has been conducted on the safety of vaccines. Many healthcare providers are also unaware of the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Injury Program. Physicians are not adequately trained to recognize vaccine-induced injuries, with medical school training on vaccines being limited to a history of vaccines, vaccination schedules, and persuading hesitant parents to follow instructions.
Insurance companies also play a role in vaccine hesitancy. They have tiered reward systems and withhold payouts from providers whose pediatric patients are not fully vaccinated. This financial motivation can lead providers to be unwilling to accept patients unless they agree to take all recommended vaccines.
One concerning aspect is that no study has ever been conducted to examine the health outcomes of the synergistic effects of all vaccines given at the same time. While some studies have looked at individual ingredients or vaccines, a comprehensive study on the combined effects has not been conducted.
The Harvard Pilgrim Study, commissioned by the CDC in 2006, analyzed the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The study found that only 1-10% of vaccine injuries are reported, indicating that the current system is ineffective in collecting data on harm and injury. This puts the responsibility on parents to be advocates for their children's health.
When parents raise concerns about vaccine safety, they often do not receive clear answers. Their concerns are often brushed aside or met with appeals to authority, citing organizations like the CDC, FDA, and WHO as guarantors of safety. However, these organizations receive significant funding from the pharmaceutical industry, which raises questions about their independence and allegiance to consumers.
In conclusion, while the intent behind the 1986 Act was to provide consumer protections, there are significant gaps in vaccine safety monitoring and education for healthcare providers. The lack of comprehensive studies on the combined effects of vaccines and the underreporting of vaccine injuries raise concerns about the current system. Parents must be proactive advocates for their children's health and make informed decisions based on the available information.
