Long Island NY: Hearings on Vaccines and Autism

By Louise Kuo Habakus

Nassau and Suffolk County Legislators and Asm Marc Alessi
Demand Answers For Our Children
Health Committee Hearings on Vaccines and Autism
September 25, 2008

Last night was my eighth wedding anniversary.  We had a romantic evening, wading through my two-hour parent vaccine choices presentation to pick the slides for my ten-minute testimony before the Health and Social Services Committee of the Nassau County Legislature today.  Ain't love grand?


Louise Kuo Habakus


This morning (Thursday), I made it to Mineola, NY from Middletown, NJ without getting lost once.  It did take me three tours around the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building before I chose to ignore the "wrong way" and "do not enter" signs into the parking lot, however. 

John Gilmore, Bob Krakow, Rita Palma, Evelyn Ain, Alan Scherr and I were there to tell the truth about vaccines and autism. 

I wrote this very quickly.  My quotes are incomplete approximations based on rough notes.  Please forgive any errors you detect after watching the video clips.

It was my first time testifying before government officials.  I admired the modest pomp and grandeur of it all.  The stately dome on the building.  The enormous room with advanced A/V set up and a personal screen for each legislator.  The large semi-circle of chairs on the dais.  The flags and the formality of the engraved signs bearing the legislators' names.  The pledge of allegiance.

The legislators in attendance included Nassau County Health Committee Chair David Mejias, Suffolk County Health Committee Chair Kate Browning, NY Assemblyman Marc Alessi, plus Nassau County legislators Muscarella, Becker, Ford, Giotti and Jacobs.

The opening remarks set the tone of the day. 

[Browning]  "When I ask people what's on their minds, I can't tell you how many say autism.  On my block alone, there are 3 or 4 children with autism.  Why is it happening?  You might detect an accent.  I grew up in Northern Ireland.  There, we don't start vaccinating until six months of age.  Maybe that would be a good idea.   Autism is a serious condition.  We need solutions.  What has been done wrong?"

[Alessi]  "We need a coordinated approach across all levels of government.  We have an epidemic in our country.  Why is this happening?  We need studies.  Policymakers must make a concerted effort to find the answers."

[Becker] "My wife Clementine is here with me today.  Our grandson has autism and it has been a difficult road for our family.  Commissioners across the state of New York must demand that the research be done.  Why the sudden spike in autism?  Our daughter lives in California.  From a government point of view, the treatment and Early Intervention (EI) programs cost about $100,000 per year.  How can we continue to afford this?  Our grandson was developing wonderfully until he was vaccinated and became a changed child at age two.  Is it a coincidence?  I received 10 vaccines as a child.  I come from a family of 12.  The subject of autism never came up in our dialogue.  Now doctors give 40 vaccines, many at the same time.  I'm not telling people not to vaccinate but I do distribute friendly vaccine schedules. I am angry at the doctor who treated my grandson and gave him shots when he was sick.  Let's get the Commissioners together and demand the research.  Prove it to me… if it's not the vaccines, tell me what it is."

Rep. Becker (has a grandchild with autism.)

Dr. Maria Carney, Nassau County Commissioner of Health said that doctors are on the same side as the families.  "Everyone wants to know what is happening.  We must work together collaboratively."  She delivered a powerpoint presentation which defined autism (Kanner, Aspergers, PDD, Retts, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder).  She said there is no test and no cure.  She described the screening, the indicators and said that EI can help.  "Symptoms can be managed."  She referred to the 2003 CDC study among others to support the assertion that there is no causal link between thimerosal in vaccines and autism.  She was not aware that Dr. Gerberding recently admitted before Congress that both the data and the methodology the CDC used were flawed. (HERE)   (John and Bob set the record straight.)  She had no answers and the legislators knew it.

Evelyn Ain, Founder and President of Autism United, is well known for her autism advocacy work on Long Island.  The legislators thanked her for her commitment.  She shared a list of vaccine ingredients.  It was the first time that many of them had seen the list.  You have to feel a little sorry for people when they begin to open their eyes.

[Alessi]  "What about this aluminum?  I read that infants shouldn't get more than 25 mcg and they can't detoxify anything over that amount.  I understand some vaccines have 150 mcg of aluminum apiece and kids will get several of them at once."

[Becker] "We need the research.  My wife is saying it must be independent research, not done by the pharmaceutical companies."

[Ford]  "I'm taken aback by the aluminum.  I come from a big family.  My kids didn't get vaccinated like they do today.  My youngest is 17.  Mine are the healthiest kids alive.  I'm appalled."

[Becker] "The mercury debate is unfortunate.  It leads people to think, if you get rid of the thimerosal, everything is ok.  That's not the case.  It could be any number of things in vaccines."

[Giotti]  To Dr. Carney:  "What are the five things we do know about what causes autism today?  I'm not talking genetics.  I want to know about the chemicals, the heavy metals.  What do we know?"

Carney said she is not an autism expert.  The doctor she brought with her said he is not a toxicologist.  Neither could answer Rep Giotti's question.

John Gilmore and Bob Krakow were brilliant in their knowledge and their integrity. 

John described autism as a "public health catastrophe" and praised local governments, saying they are more in touch with the enormity of the problem because they have to provide direct services to families.  He provided copies of a recent study from the Journal of the Neurological Sciences (May 2008) demonstrating that kids receiving greater amounts of total mercury had 2.87 times more autism than the kids receiving smaller amounts of mercury (see page 4 (HERE). 

Bob was so passionate and eloquent that I stopped taking notes to experience the moment.  I was struck by his rhetorical question – why on earth haven't we removed thimerosal from all pediatric vaccines by now?  He told us that thimerosal is needed for the globalization of vaccines through the World Health Organization.   The preservative is required for multi-dose vials which are cheaper.  If we remove it all from our vaccines, we can't rightly send the toxic stuff abroad now, can we?  (My words, not Bob's.)   

John and Bob were really good and the legislators told them so:

[Becker] "The Board of Commissioners needs to hear these presentations.  Let's arrange it.  I will pay for the bus but you have to cover your own meals.  There is the science of common sense.  A child is perfectly normal before the shot and is not normal after the shot.  This is a national crisis.  The very future of our nation is at stake."

I was supposed to go up next but they then invited the doctors to speak.   ("We now need to hear the other side.") 

Dr. Paul Lee, President of the Nassau County Pediatric Society, representing the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) went to the podium. "Nothing is 100% safe.

 

Dr. Paul Lee

Driving a car is not 100% safe.  Eating my wife's cooking is not 100% safe [nice].  We must weigh the risks and benefits and protect the children as best we see fit.  Vaccines are the greatest scientific advancement of the 20th century [oh boy, here we go].  Doctors are damned if we do, damned if we don't."  Dr. Lee described how collaborative he is with his patients and the amount of time he spends answering questions about vaccines.  He stated that we can treat the symptoms of autism but we can't treat death.  He proceeded to offer a long list of unvaccinated children, by name, who died terrible deaths caused by the flu, meningitis and other diseases, until he was impatiently interrupted by a legislator who wanted answers from our doctors, not pat vaccination propaganda. 

[Becker] "The AAP is an obstacle!  You're missing my point.  You should be demanding the research.  We need the AAP to forcefully say that you are joining with us to demand the research."

[Alessi]  "Wanting safe vaccines does not equate with wanting to spread disease."

[Becker] "This is a crisis situation.  No one questions the historical value of vaccines.  Things are only going to get worse.  There is something called the Living Dead.  When my son wakes up in the middle of the night screaming, my daughter would tell you that he probably wishes he were dead.  My daughter probably wishes she were dead." 

[Ford]  "This is a crisis.  It is difficult for parents to make decisions.  Sometimes, quality of life can be so compromised.   Autism may be preventable."

Dr. Michael Grosso, Medical Director and Senior VP of Medical Affairs/Quality Management at Huntington Hospital stood up to speak.  Honestly, I can't recall a single thing he said beyond the fact that we know that congenital rubella, German measles, causes autism.  Oh, he also mentioned how terrible measles is, that it causes something called SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis).  He was trying to scare them and it wasn't working.

I spoke next.  Ten minutes?  Ha!  I had 43 slides and they let me get through almost all of them before I was finally told to speed it up.  I talked about the growth in the number of shots, too much too soon, the Hep B congressional hearings, VAERS, the VICP injury table, lots of juicy stats from the package inserts, a picture from state immunization manuals showing how to give seven shots if needed at one visit.  I talked about the link between vaccines and diabetes, asthma and anaphylaxis.  I read a quote from Dr. George Lucier, former director of environmental toxicology at the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and gave them a copy of his 44 page resume and his devastating nine-page expert report (thank you, Bobbie Manning!).  I showed how disease death rates dropped substantially before vaccines were ever introduced.  I talked about our shameful infant mortality ranking.  I reviewed conflicts of interest in the approval and licensing of vaccines.  I talked about our equally shameful DPT story.  I told them that Japan, the UK and Canada do not mandate vaccines.  I talked about how it took us 30 years to stand up to Big Tobacco and Big Pharma is even more powerful and aggressive.  I talked about Gardasil and mentioned the New England Journal of Medicine editorial that says there are reasons for caution.  I told them that mistakes can be massive and showed ads ranging from Thalidomide to Vioxx.  And, I couldn't help it.  I told Dr. Lee that the Academy is not part of the solution.  I shared the gist of the letter that was published by All Star Pediatrics in the May 2008 issue of the AAP's newsletter, a letter they recommended be posted in pediatricians' offices, a letter touted as a timesaving response to parents asking so many time consuming questions about vaccines.  The kicker: "Finally, if you should absolutely refuse to vaccinate your child despite all our efforts, we will ask you to find another health care provider who shares your views.  We do not keep a list of such providers, nor would we recommend any such physician."   See the letter HERE.

Alan and Rita went next.  Alan Scherr is a very compelling and articulate speaker. 
Dr. Alan Scherr

He and Larry Palevsky make a powerhouse team.  Rita Palma suffered through her brutal sincerity test for the religious exemption yesterday and remained irrepressible, speaking out passionately for parents' choice and the religious exemption.


 

Rita Palma

I wasn't able to stay for Christine Heeren's public comment but I heard that she poignantly  countered the doctors who testified that there is no cure for autism.  Christine said recovery is possible, she has seen it with her own eyes, and her own son has improved from biomedical treatment.  The legislators thanked her for ending the session on a positive note.  (Yeah!)  A big thank you to Christine, as always, for filming the event.

We were joined in solidarity by several other parents including Christine Migliara and three handsome cowboy dads wearing bright yellow t-shirts for our children: America Rides For Autism. 

Each parent and professional who stood with dignity on behalf of our children today was powerful and sincere, in both voice and presence.  You would have been proud of us.

Bob Krakow accompanied me out of the room to express his appreciation and say good-bye: "Our side was especially strong today - the collective effect was consistently powerful. And that was without any medical/science professionals."  Bob rightly credits Autism United and the Autism Action Network (formerly A-CHAMP) for being there to organize our continued presence before various legislators.  (Thank you, John and Evelyn!)

Way to go New York…  New Jersey supports you!  NY parent participation in our October 16th vaccination choice rally in Trenton will be huge and unprecedented.  Calling all parents…  NJ is Ground Zero for vaccines and we're telling our politicians that this is a huge issue for many thousands of parents who vote.  Let's make this event the "shot" heard around the world.  Come to NJ and stand with us.  We'll help you carpool!  Go to New Jersey Vaccination Choice or e-mail me at vaxRSVP@verizon.net.  I will post more details very soon.

Louise

Louise Kuo Habakus is the mom of two young boys.  She is a board-certified health practitioner and lectures on vaccine safety and parent choices.  Louise is a former senior corporate executive.  Click HERE for information on future events.

Comments

[Michael]

How sad. It sounds like this was another event where irrational fear won out over science and reason. I honestly have a great deal of sympathy for all of you, but the real victims here are the kids. With all the misdirected focus on vaccines there is less money and interest in finding out what the real causes of autism might be. Just because the doctors and scientists don't know what the cause is yet, doesn't make vaccines the causative agent by default.

You folks need to stop seeing evil profit seeking motives behind every vaccine. As long as you continue to do this, progress will creep along and the real cause of autism will continue to elude us.

[MT/hellokittiemama]

Wow! Way to go Louise!!!!

And belated anniversary wishes too :) We did the autism walk on mine - equally as romantic but, it is what it is.

[Lin Wessels]

WOW!! What an excellent personal account of the hearing! Thank you soooo much!!

I am truly humbled by each of you and all that you do for our children! I am honored to call some of you friends and comrades! I appreciate each and everyone in this endeavor for your grit, integrity, tenacity and talents. Thank you, thank you!

[Diane]

I am sorry I missed this hearing.

HOWEVER....we MUST, as a community, be thankful for John, Bob and Evelyn (sorry if I'm omitting someone and they have a sensitive reaction, just going with those I know personally and have seen in action). Theses individuals have an unwavering commitment to get the word out, to organize hearings, to get elected officials in on what's no longer a secret. Would Autism Speak do this? (Hmmm...HAS Autism Speaks done this?)

I am desperately waiting for the parents with affected children to WAKE UP and start supporting Autism United.

[jennifer]

I am so heartened to hear of this event. You guys sounded fantastic!! Lately, I have sent so many letters to the idiot (I mean editor) regarding the over-vaccinating of our children and none are being published (big surprise!!). I am a Canadian who has chosen to minimally vaccinate my male child who is 10 now because of all the problems we have been seeing with autism rates. I have worked with children since the mid 80's and I love that you are pointing out the economic burden of this atrocity, as well as the emotional pain. In Canada we have more choice than you seem to in America and at least we don't give hep b to babies. The Calgary Catholic school board recently decided not to go ahead with the HPV school vaccination program. Right choice (though more to do with morality than safety-but hey, I'll take it!!) Good luck with the October rally. I wish we had more organized activities like that here. (I started to get deeply suspicious of the vacc. program when they added Chickenpox.

[Lisa]

Thank you for speaking for those not well enough to speak for themselves. I understand that nothing is 100% safe but doctors need to be honest about the risk. Anyone reading the inserts would run.

[Jeanne]

We need to all be doing this in our areas!!

This is definitely on my top ten favorite AoA posts EVER.

Thank you Louise, John Gilmore, Bob Krakow, Rita Palma, Evelyn Ain, Alan Scherr (and anyone else not listed who took part in this incredible moment)!!!

[Michelle]

This is one of the most amazing posts I have ever read. Thank you all for doing what you do!

[karenatlanta]

WOW!
Please come to the CDC ACIP meeting for public comment. We all must get on the bandwagon and counter this ridiculous fear mongering rhetoric.

Excellent.

[Rick]

Thank you Louise for your courage, hardwork and an infomative (excellent) post.