Dirty Politics in NJ Concerning Thimerosal Ban Legislation

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http://snipurl.com/go3h8 [Age of Autism]April 24, 2009Dirty Politics in NJ Concerning Thimerosal Ban Legislation Managing Editor's Note: Here's a letter from H. Downing of the NJ Coalition for Vaccination Choice. You'll note that pediatrician Dr. Meg Fiisher, who represented the AAP on Larry King Live with Jenny McCarthy has a fine quote: Fisher: “My point is it’s [removing thimerosal] a done deal. This legislation is perpetuating false ideas about vaccines, like it’s some evil neurotoxin.”  It’s an election year.  We seem inured to corruption; the same tale seems to be told over and over again.  We are not powerless, however. Here is a story to make you think twice before electing the same old politician. Vaccines still contain mercury.  It is an added ingredient in some, and is used in the manufacturing process for many.  This is a topic that should concern all of us.  Large and powerful states, including California, New York and Illinois have passed bills to ban mercury in vaccines.  In New Jersey, however, the bill continues to languish in the legislature. Did you ever wonder why?Through persistent and responsible adherence to the legislative process, the people of New Jersey have sought protection for themselves and their families.  Politicians do not play by the same rules.  Behind closed doors, our legislators have unfairly abused their power to repeatedly hold the bill from a vote.  Let us know if you think this is acceptable. If you are angry, take note of the Action Items at the end of this article.The story begins in 2005.  Concerned citizens composed legislation that would phase mercury (thimerosal) out of vaccines given to children and pregnant women.  That bill is now A1055/S359.  Mercury is used in vaccines as a preservative in multi-dose vials.  Manufacturers are willing and able to forego the preservative by selling single-dose vials.  Mercury is a known neurotoxin, and has been removed from most other drugs/medicine. Under the 1997 FDA Modernization Act, Congress ordered the FDA to determine the levels of mercury in pharmaceutical agents.  FDA officials were disturbed to learn that children were receiving mercury in levels that exceeded federal safety guidelines.Primary sponsors of this NJ legislation to phase out mercury are Assemblyman Peter Biondi, Assemblywoman Linda Stender, Senator Andrew Ciesla, and Senator Anthony Bucco. The language of the legislation addresses a three-year phase out:* In the first year, an influenza vaccine could contain up to .5 micrograms of mercury per .25 milliliter dose for children under age 3, and 1 mcg of mercury per .5 milliliter dose for persons over age 3.  It would allow other vaccines to contain “trace amounts” (concentration of less than .0002%) of mercury. * The second year would only permit trace amounts. * By the third year, only mercury-free vaccines could be administered in the state of New Jersey.  In the event of an emergency shortage, people would be notified in advance that the vaccine contained mercury.The first hearing on the “thimerosal ban bill” was scheduled with barely a day’s notice for March 13, 2006. Safe-vaccine advocates prepared testimony overnight to be ready in time to speak before the Assembly Health Committee. Dr. Larry Rosen rescheduled his clients to speak on behalf of the thimerosal ban. Assembly Health Committee Chairman Herb Conaway asked those in support of the thimerosal ban to speak first.  Dr. Rosen presented facts, and spoke passionately in support of the ban.  Numerous parents spoke in support of the ban. Chairman Conaway did not demonstrate respect for this group.  He did not appear interested nor concerned, and he was seen to roll his eyes as Dr. Rosen spoke. It was then time for “Herb’s side” to present their case.  He had lined up two doctors from the American Academy of Pediatrics: Dr Meg Fisher and Dr Steven Rice.  Chairman Conaway smugly stated, “Finally, some real science” as they walked up to the podium.  Here are quotes which demonstrate their shocking disregard for and lack of understanding of the science regarding the use of thimerosal in vaccines.Dr Rice (commenting on the Denmark study): “These are perfect studies.”Dr Rice: “It’s a reasonable goal to get mercury out of vaccines, but do we need this legislation?” (alluding to the “work” the politicians have to do to write a bill and pass it)Dr Fisher (paraphrased): We don’t need this legislation. Perpetuating false and misleading information about vaccines won’t help, and might even harm. It has driven the cost up – singles dose has to have a little more vaccine in each bottle. We are looking at more unimmunized children. We had a vaccine supply problem for the last 10 years. It will inhibit our ability to mass-produce vaccines when and if we need them, even with the exemption this law provides. Why do we want to handcuff vaccine manufacturers? What you heard over the last hour is that thimerosal causes autism – we know it doesn’t. It [this legislation] takes our energy, our dollars, and makes us disprove something none of us believe to start with.Conaway: “All I’ve found is that thimerosal causes local skin reactions. I searched the NIH website all night.”Fisher: “My point is it’s [removing thimerosal] a done deal. This legislation is perpetuating false ideas about vaccines, like it’s some evil neurotoxin.”Fisher: “We’ve been giving this vaccine [preservative] for over 50 years, we have lots of information that it hasn’t done harm. You read the Danish study.”Fisher: “Stop the distractions. This legislation is a distraction.”Fisher (when asked “You’re of the firm opinion that thimerosal is not detrimental to brain cells?”): “I didn’t say that. If you pour thimerosal on a brain, of course it will be a toxin.”Fisher (when asked “You represent AAP. In July 2001, they stated mercury is toxic in all forms.”): “Both of us would agree with that. But look at what has happened since 1999. Thimerosal is out of all major vaccines, except trace amounts and the influenza vaccine. Influenza, we’re well on our way. If you made this law in 1999 when nothing was happening, that’s one thing, but in 2006 you don’t need this legislation.”Rice: “The dosage makes the poison. There are many things that in small amounts are therapeutic.”Fisher (after stating she gives her mother the flu shot): “My mother has Alzheimer’s.”Fisher: “They [vaccines] would still be efficacious [with thimerosal removed]. We have been removing the thimerosal since 1999. There are still trace amounts due to manufacturing steps. The vaccine manufacturers will have to figure out a different way to make these if you don’t allow thimerosal. There is not enough vaccine if we have a pandemic. You run the risk that you can’t protect your population. None of the other preservatives have been used for 50 years or have been proven safe. If you pass this law, you’ll force use of one of these, and then 50 years later we’ll find they’re not safe. Without thimerosal, has to be single dose or other preservative.”Fisher (when asked “Why not just limit the thimerosal vaccines for children?”): “You can do that…but it’s already been done.”Health Committee members asked telling questions.  One stated he was no longer going to give his mother the flu shot after hearing all this testimony.  Dr. Rosen addressed some of Dr. Fisher’s and Dr. Rice’s errors in a wrap-up and stated:“This is about safety, not causation. The burden is on safety.” Assemblyman Biondi said:“If the industry was taking it [thimerosal] out, I never would have drafted this legislation. But they’re not doing it.   Fine, let the studies prove that thimerosal does not cause autism.  But in the meantime, until it is proven, let’s be safe and take it out.  We need control over pharmaceutical companies; it’s a monetary issue.  I wasn’t so passionate about this issue until I heard what the AAP doctors had to say.  Pharma wants the vaccine to last longer. And will it really take a whole new manufacturing system to create a vaccine without thimerosal? Just eliminate the thimerosal! They can do that tomorrow.”Unbeknownst to the supporters of the legislation, they had all but Conaway on their side. And unbeknownst to the supporters, Conaway held the vote.***The second hearing on the legislation again was scheduled with only a day’s notice for May 11, 2006.  Chairman Conaway did not let parents speak.  He allowed for a vote for this time and the legislation passed. This meant that it would go before the full Assembly to be heard.   It also meant that it could possibly also be heard by the Senate Health Committee.  The legislation never made it for vote in full Assembly.Thanks to Chairman Conaway and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, a backdoor deal silenced the legislation. On June 21, 2007, the eve of the budget vote, Conaway whispered his deal to Roberts:  if the thimerosal legislation goes for a vote, Conaway wouldn’t vote to pass the budget. Roberts didn’t put the thimerosal legislation up for a vote.  It was the only piece of legislation that didn’t come up for a vote that night. Speaker Roberts confessed to parent activist Geoff Dubrowsky that he had held the bill due to Chairman Conaway.  Roberts promised Dubrowsky that he would bring the bill up for a vote in full Assembly in the fall.  Roberts did not keep his promise.***Dirty politics in New Jersey.  Constituents play by the rules.  We help to write the legislation, attend the hearings, rally supporters to write in to their legislators.  But behind the scenes, dirty politicians play games.  The bill was not heard because Big Pharma doesn’t like it.  Fast forward to 2009.  Mercury is still in our flu shots in large amounts. And now, the flu shot is mandated for children up to age five.  Children receive two flu shots in the first year and then one shot annually. Over ninety percent of flu shots given in New Jersey contain thimerosal. Adult flu vaccines contain 25 micrograms of mercury.   Pediatric flu vaccines contain12.5 micrograms of mercury.  When doctors run out of the pediatric doses, there is no law preventing the administration of adult flu vaccines to children. ***A few interesting points on other NJ legislation:* Assemblyman Conaway is the primary sponsor on a bill (A3485) that prohibits the sale of mercury batteries and consumer products that use mercury batteries. So it’s ok to inject mercury into infants, but not ok to sell mercury batteries or dispose of them as solid waste?! * Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt has since introduced a similar legislation (A2318) that prohibits vaccinating children under three and pregnant women with vaccines containing mercury above a certain level. The wording of the legislation was based on the already-passed California bill. A2318 has not moved either. * Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle has since introduced a similar legislation (A3595) that requires parents of children receiving influenza vaccinations to be informed of thimerosal-free alternatives. A3595 has not moved either.***Action ItemsCome November 2009, Assemblyman Conaway is up for reelection. Let’s show him that we don’t support dirty politics in NJ by voting him out!  1) If you’re in NJ District 7, vote him out! Leah Arter and Harry Adams are both new candidates that are running in this district. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue – it is time to move Herb the Roadblock out of office!District 7 - Beverly City, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Cinnaminson Township, Delanco Township, Delran Township, Edgewater Park Township, Florence Township, Maple Shade Township, Merchantville Borough, Mount Holly Township, Palmyra Borough, Pennsauken Township, Riverside Township, Riverton Borough, Westampton Township, Willingboro Township2) If you know someone in NJ District 7, call/email them to vote Assemblyman Conaway out!3) If you live in New Jersey, write your Assembly members and Senator and ask them to sponsor or co-sponsor bill A1055/S359. The easiest way to do this is go to www.congress.org , enter in your zip code, then choose to write your ‘State’ officials – you can write to both your Assembly members and to your Senator all at once. http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ =====In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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