Be Careful with Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine, Insert Admits Increased Risk of Chronic Neurologic Disease!

In a discussion on another site, the provaccine argument that there is "no mercury in vaccines" and a link to a call for 'old' DTap Vaccines was posted as evidence. While anyone with two eyes can see that this vaccine still contains 'trace' (less than/equal to .3 ug mercury/dose)amounts of mercury and still should not be put into the bodies of infants because everyone knows there is no safe level of toxic mercury. Anyway, in my review of this DTaP Vaccine Insert from Sanofi Pasteur it is admitted that this vaccine can cause Acute neurologic illness under "special circumstances". Oh really? Then it goes on to put the onus on the doctor to decide if your child meets one of these "special circumstances" and mentions that the parent should be advised of the increased risk. We all know that most doctors don't have time to read these vaccine inserts and we also know that most don't share them with the parent even if requested. Make sure you take this into consideration before you vaccinate your child with this vaccine.

Tripedia DTaP Vaccine Insert from Link on Sanofi Pasteur Website

A committee of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has concluded that evidence is consistent with a causal relationship between whole-cell pertussis DTP vaccine and acute neurologic illness, and under special circumstances, between whole-cell pertussis DTP vaccine and chronic neurologic disease in the context of the National Childhood Encephalopathy Study (NCES)report.24,25 However, the IOM committee concluded that the evidence was insufficient to indicate whether or not whole-cell pertussis DTP vaccine increased the overall risk of chronic neurologic disease.25 The decision to administer a pertussis-containing vaccine to children with stable central nervous system disorders must be made by the physician on an individual basis, with consideration of all relevant factors, and assessment of potential risks and benefits for that individual. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have issued guidelines for such children.15,22,23 The parent or guardian should be advised of the potential increased risk involved (see PRECAUTIONS, Information for Vaccine Recipients and Parents or Guardians section).

Link to DTap Insert