The Covid-19 pandemic operation offers a prime example of how media distractions can distort public perceptions. Sensationalist media coverage, conflicting information and polarized debates have overshadowed critical discussions about public health responses and the ethical implications of pandemic policies. Amid this chaos, discerning the truth has become an ardu­ous task. Even so, global “real world evidence” for the Covid-19 shots clearly shows that the injections have had a negative impact and cor­relate with excess mortality.² This alarming finding underscores the need for transparent and comprehensive discussions about the long-term effects of all vaccines.

In this challenging landscape, the vaccine risk awareness movement shines with the efforts of determined heroes who have been unwaver­ing in their commitment to educate the public. Their selfless advocacy, often at great personal risk, underscores their dedication to protecting both individual freedoms and public health. In this article, I highlight eight heroes—some who are widely recognized for their work, and oth­ers who may be less familiar. All eight share a common thread of bravery and integrity; their tireless efforts and profound impact make them deserving of our respect and attention. In ad­dition to fighting for the safety and well-being of our children, they also champion the broader principles of human dignity and autonomy. These voices are crucial to the ongoing dia­logue about vaccine safety and public health, representing the very essence of true advocacy in our times.

BARBARA LOE FISHER

Barbara Loe Fisher is the godmother of the vaccine risk awareness movement, having co-founded the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) in 1982 after her son had a se­vere reaction to the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Her advocacy for informed con­sent and medical freedom explicitly mirrors the principles championed by America’s founding fathers.³ Like the signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Fisher deeply believes in the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, including the freedom to make autonomous decisions about personal health without undue influence or coercion. She has eloquently emphasized the importance of open dialogue and informed decision-making in democratic societies.

Throughout her nearly four-decade-long tenure at NVIC, Fisher has been stalwart in de­fending against the encroachment of mandatory vaccination and the erosion of individual rights. Her leadership at NVIC has been instrumental in educating the public about vaccine risks and the need for transparency in public health policy-making. Fisher’s steadfast opposition to the weaponization of the mandatory vaccination system that began two centuries ago with compulsory smallpox vaccination⁴ underscores her commitment to preserving individual liberties and protecting bodily autonomy.

During the events surrounding the declaration of a Covid-19 pan­demic, Fisher was a vocal critic of what she calls the “Public Health Empire” and its overreach, highlighting the parallels between current events and historical struggles for freedom. Fisher’s enduring dedication serves as a poignant reminder that the fight for individual rights and medi­cal freedom is ongoing. We celebrate her pivotal role in the vaccine risk awareness movement and honor her lifelong commitment to ensuring that individuals retain control over their own bodies and medical decisions.

LESLIE MANOOKIAN

As the president and founder of Health Freedom Defense Fund (HFDF), Leslie Manookian, too, is a staunch defender of health freedom and bodily autonomy. With over two decades of dedicated advocacy, Manookian has been a formidable force in the fight for individual rights and ethical medical practices. Her journey began with our co-created documentary, The Greater Good, which brought critical awareness to the debate surrounding vaccines.

At HFDF, Manookian and her team uphold the foundational belief that every person has the inherent right to make informed decisions about their health without coercion. Central to their mission is the defense of bodily autonomy and the principles of freedom and integrity. Manookian’s leadership has been instrumental in challenging unethical mandates and policies. For example, a recent landmark victory in the Ninth Cir­cuit Court overturned a dismissal of a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District’s compulsory Covid vaccination policy.⁵ In ad­dition, HFDF secured another significant win in achieving a settlement in the case Petroff vs Vallow, Disney Television Studios Inc., and The Walt Disney Company.⁶ The lawsuit challenged Disney subsidiary 20th Television Animation’s Covid shot mandate, implemented in April 2022. By settling the case, Disney avoided senior employee depositions, prevented the public disclosure of sensitive in­ternal documents and averted what would have been a very embarrassing and damaging trial.

One of Manookian’s earliest and significant legal successes was the pivotal lawsuit against the federal travel mask mandate promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).⁷ HFDF and Manookian challenged the CDC mandate, highlighting the agency’s lack of statutory authority, the absence of scientific justification and the failure to subject the man­date to public scrutiny. Their efforts resulted in the restoration of the right to travel mask-free, setting a crucial precedent for limiting executive overreach during emergencies.

These achievements underscore Manooki­an’s commitment to upholding constitutional rights—reinforcing the principle that govern­ment actions must adhere to legal scrutiny and respect constitutional limits—and to ensuring that individuals retain the freedom to make choices about their own bodies. Beyond her legal victories, Manookian is a passionate advocate for transparency and accountability in public health policies. She has consistently emphasized the importance of public input and scientific rigor in shaping regulations that affect millions of lives. Her work resonates deeply in a time where personal freedoms are increasingly challenged, reminding us that constitutional protections remain essential even in times of cri­sis. Manookian continues to shape the discourse on informed consent and individual rights, making her a pivotal figure in the movement for ethical health care practices and constitutional governance.⁸

VERA SHARAV

Vera Sharav stands as a beacon of both truth and resilience, a hero on a sacred mission born out of the horrors she endured as a Holocaust survivor. Her life is a testament to the unyielding human spirit and the necessity of remembrance and vigilance. As the founder of the Alliance for Human Research Protection (AHRP)⁹ and producer of the 2023 documentary series Never Again Is Now Global,¹⁰ Sharav reminds us that the past’s darkest chapters can repeat themselves if we are not vigilant. Sharav’s mission is to honor those who did not survive by ensuring that their stories and the lessons of history are never forgotten.

Sharav’s wisdom was born from profound suffering and a unique understanding of the fra­gility of human rights and the ease with which societies can descend into barbarism. Her mes­sage is not just a recollection of past atrocities but a dire warning against the perils of blind obedience and the perversion of science and medicine. From an act of defiance as a six-and-a-half-year-old child—a moment of disobedience that saved her life—she formulated her belief that dissent can be a powerful force for survival and integrity.

Sharav emphasizes that modern technology, while transformative, has often eclipsed the es­sential study of history and philosophy, corrupt­ing genuine science and medicine.¹¹ She draws parallels between the elitist and racist ideology of eugenics that gained popularity in the early twentieth century, which aimed to eliminate individuals deemed inferior, and public health and policy decisions today that similarly devalue human life. Sharav sees a disturbing continuity in the way medicine has been weaponized, even as spiritual and moral values are discarded. Her warnings about the current state of the world— where doctors and medical institutions once again serve government dictates rather than ethical principles—are a call to action. In her eyes, we are at a catastrophic juncture in hu­man history, witnessing global crimes against humanity driven by a new breed of predators who wield biotechnology and surveillance to control and dehumanize. Sharav’s determina­tion to speak out against these dangers and to remember and resist makes her a hero in the truest sense of the word.

ANDREW WAKEFIELD

Andrew (“Andy”) Wakefield’s bravery reshaped the discourse around vaccine safety and autism. Trained as an academic gastroen­terologist in London, Wakefield’s career took a dramatic turn in the 1990s when he began investigating gastrointestinal issues in autistic children who had recently received a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. His early research suggested a potential link between the vaccine, intestinal inflammation and neurologi­cal injury—an inquiry that would redefine his professional trajectory and ignite a firestorm of debate.¹²

In February 1998, Wakefield and his col­leagues published a study in The Lancet of twelve children who had experienced both developmental delays and gastrointestinal problems.¹³ As a case series, the paper made no claims about a causal link between the MMR vaccine and autism, but the authors advocated caution, recommending separate vaccines over the combined MMR shot until further research could clarify the safety concerns the study had raised.

The fallout was swift and severe. Accusa­tions of scientific misconduct, led by journalist Brian Deer and amplified by media outlets, cast a shadow over the study’s findings. (Twelve years later, in 2010, the journal went so far as to retract the paper.) Despite subsequent legal battles and the eventual exoneration of his co-authors in the Lancet paper, Wakefield lost his medical license and faced professional ostra­cism. Undeterred, he relocated to the United States, where he co-founded the Autism Media Channel and continued his advocacy through films like Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catas­trophe, which Wakefield directed. Vaxxed, in turn, stirred global controversy by featuring a whistleblower who alleged that the CDC had suppressed data linking vaccines to autism. This assertion resonated deeply with parents and activists. Despite attempts to suppress the documentary, its impact was profound, fueling public skepticism and fostering a grassroots movement demanding transparency and ac­countability in vaccination policies.

The controversy surrounding the Lancet pa­per and subsequent events catapulted Wakefield into the spotlight as a leading voice challenging vaccine orthodoxy, earning him both staunch support and vehement opposition. Today, Wake­field remains a central figure in the vaccine debate, advocating for informed consent and challenging the medical establishment’s handling of vaccine-related risks. Now a committed filmmaker, his films include 1986: The Act (a forensic examination of the 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act and its consequences) and the 2024 film, Protocol 7 (about the fraud and corruption surrounding the mumps component of MMR vaccines).¹⁴ He is also the author of Wag­ing War on the Autistic Child: The Arizona 5 and the Legacy of Baron von Münchausen¹⁵ and Callous Disregard: Autism and Vaccines – The Truth Behind a Tragedy.¹⁶ In his prologue to the latter, Wakefield states, “If autism does not affect your family now, it will. If something does not change—and change soon—this is almost a mathematical certainty.”

Wakefield’s perseverance in the face of personal and professional adversity underscores a commitment to scientific integrity and the belief that parents’ concerns about public health policies merit serious consideration. His legacy prompts critical reflection on medical ethics, individual rights and scientific inquiry.

ANNE DACHEL

Anne Dachel is a formidable advocate in the autism community, renowned for her commitment to shedding light on the alarming rise in autism and related disorders. Through her website, Loss of Brain Trust, Dachel highlights the stark differences between children today and those of previous generations.¹⁷ She meticulously documents the growing preva­lence of disabilities and chronic illnesses among children, emphasizing the impact on the education system and the catastrophic costs to society. The site also draws attention to the fact that issues once primarily associ­ated with those considered to have autism—such as sensory problems, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and social skill deficits—now increasingly affect mainstream students. Dachel boldly challenges the gaslighting that blames these issues on poor parenting, presenting a compelling case for broader environmental influences.

As of the CDC’s data from 2020, autism is reported to affect one in thirty-six American children¹⁸—including one in twenty-two boys and 8 to 10 percent of Black and Latino communities—versus an already high rate of one in two hundred fifty children back in 2002.¹⁹ At least 54 percent of U.S. children suffer from one or more chronic illnesses,²⁰ even as the CDC continues to add more vaccines to its already burden­some schedule.²¹

In addition to her website, Dachel is a prolific writer on Substack. Her in-depth analyses of the autism crisis cover a wide range of topics, from the skyrocketing autism rates and their societal and economic impacts to the controversial narratives surrounding “neurodiversity.” Dachel is unafraid to confront the harsh realities and challenges faced by the autism community and advocates for a deeper understanding of the disorder’s causes and more effective treatments. Her writings on Substack serve as a powerful platform for raising awareness and driving change, emphasiz­ing the urgent need for a reevaluation of how society addresses autism.

As a vocal critic of the mainstream media’s reluctance to explore the environmental causes of autism and the potential for biomedical treatments, Dachel is additionally active in her role as media editor at Age of Autism, the “Daily Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemic.”²² She and her Age of Autism colleagues are dedicated to giving a voice to parents and individuals who believe that autism is a man-made, preventable disorder, with a willingness to challenge pre­vailing narratives and expose the bureaucratic inertia and medical malfeasance that hinder progress. Dachel’s passionate advocacy and relentless pursuit of the truth make her a heroic figure in the fight to understand and address the autism epidemic.

CHRISTOPHER SHAW

Dr. Christopher Shaw has made significant scientific contributions through his ground­breaking research on vaccine adjuvants, particu­larly aluminum. As a professor in the Depart­ment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Shaw has had a distinguished career marked by over one hundred peer-reviewed articles and numer­ous book chapters.²³ His research primarily has focused on neurological diseases, including, most recently, the neurological disease spec­trum of ALS-parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS-PDC) of Guam and the Western Pacific. His laboratory was among the first to develop animal models that mimic the behavioral and pathological features of these diseases, paving the way for a deeper understanding of gene-toxin interactions and potential therapeutic interventions.

In 2007, Shaw and his student Mike Petrik conducted a pivotal study on aluminum adju­vants in vaccines, initially expecting to find no significant effects. However, their results showed notable motor neuron loss and motor function changes in the test subjects, which contradicted the conventional view that vaccines and their aluminum adjuvants are safe. This discovery led Shaw to further investigate the potential neurotoxicity of aluminum adjuvants, resulting in a body of work that highlights the possible connections between these substances and various neurological disorders, includ­ing Gulf War syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.

Shaw has collaborated extensively with fellow UBC researcher Dr. Lucija Tomljenovic, producing critical studies questioning the safety and widespread use of aluminum adjuvants in vaccines. Their research highlights the fact that even after almost ninety years of use, the alumi­num compounds’ mechanisms of action remain poorly understood, and data on their toxicology and pharmacokinetics are lacking. As the two researchers argue, the prevailing assumption that aluminum adjuvants are safe is not backed up by rigorous scientific evaluation. Instead, their research indicates that aluminum adju­vants carry “a risk for autoimmunity, long-term brain inflammation and associated neurological complications and may thus have profound and widespread adverse health consequences.”²⁴

In 2020, Shaw co-founded (with John W. Oller, PhD) and is senior editor of the Inter­national Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research, which encourages “[f]act-based research papers on all facets of funding, distri­bution, regulation, marketing, promotion, and environmental impacts of vaccines.”²⁵ Through his relentless pursuit of scientific inquiry, Shaw has become a key figure in the movement to rigorously assess vaccine safety and base public health policies on solid scientific evidence.

CHRISTOPHER EXLEY

Professor Christopher Exley, formerly of Keele University in the UK, is a world-renowned expert on aluminum and its toxic ef­fects on the human brain.²⁶ With a prolific career spanning over thirty-six years, he has published approximately two hundred peer-reviewed sci­entific papers, written numerous book chapters and edited compilations on aluminum in various biological and medical contexts. Affectionately known as “Mr. Aluminum” by his peers, Exley has made significant strides in understanding aluminum’s impacts on human health, particu­larly in relation to neurological diseases.²⁷

Exley’s research group began focusing on aluminum adjuvants in vaccines around 2009, prompting Exley to conclude by 2020 that the vaccine adjuvants represent “an acute exposure to aluminium.”²⁸ He also notes that the claim that aluminum adjuvants have an “excellent safety profile” is “pure aluminium-industry speak,” whereas aluminum adjuvant safety in humans “has never been tested for any vaccine in use today.”²⁹ Exley’s studies have shown that elevated levels of aluminum in the brain are linked to conditions such as autism,³⁰ early-onset Alzheimer’s disease³¹ and multiple sclerosis,³² underscoring the need for a thorough evaluation of aluminum’s role in these and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Notwithstanding his significant scientific contributions, the senior management at Keele University took actions that ultimately made it impossible for him to pursue his studies on hu­man exposure to aluminum.³³ Though a highly respected expert in his field, Exley’s career was destroyed for exposing some uncomfort­able truths. Exley has persisted in his efforts to educate the public and the scientific commu­nity about the dangers of aluminum exposure, sharing his thoughts in his Dr’s Newsletter on Substack³⁴ and in his 2020 book, Imagine You Are an Aluminum Atom: Discussions with Mr. Aluminum.^35,36 He continues to advocate for more comprehensive research into the toxico­logical and pharmacokinetic properties of alu­minum compounds, underscoring the urgency of addressing the “true pandemic” of aluminum exposure that affects countless lives globally.³⁷

1. LAWRENCE B. PALEVSKY

Dr. Lawrence (“Larry”) Palevsky has dis­tinguished himself as a pediatrician unafraid to challenge the mainstream medical narra­tive on vaccinations, despite his conventional training. With a medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and over three decades of experience in pediatric care, Palevsky has developed a holistic approach to children’s health that prioritizes natural healing processes over phar­maceutical interventions.³⁸ His extensive background includes work in pediatric emergency and intensive care, neonatal intensive care and both inpatient and outpatient pediatric medicine.

Palevsky is outspoken about his belief that vaccines pose signifi­cant risks to children’s health. He regularly lectures on the dangers of vaccines, describing them as toxic substances. He emphasizes that the current medical paradigm often pushes for the suppression of symptoms through vaccines and medications; these, he argues, disrupt the body’s detoxification processes. Palevsky instead advocates a medical approach that respects and supports the body’s processes and allows children to experience and recover from illnesses naturally, which in his view is essential for the development of a strong and resilient immune system.

In Palevsky’s podcast collaboration with like-minded professional Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, “Critically Thinking with Dr. T & Dr. P,”³⁹ the two discuss vaccine-related issues and alternative health practices. Through his many speaking engagements, his bravery in speaking out against established medical practices has made him a significant and influential voice in the vaccine risk awareness movement.

CONCLUSION

In the complex landscape of modern public health, where powerful entities wield substantial influence and often seek to obscure truth, the voices of these eight vaccine risk-awareness heroes offer a vital counter­balance. Their collective efforts embody a shared commitment to chal­lenging the status quo, advocating for transparency and safeguarding individual freedoms—serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of critical thinking.

Thanks to the courage of these and other remarkable heroes in confronting injustice and safeguarding personal freedoms and ethical principles—even in the face of overwhelming challenges—we can envi­sion a future where our highest aspirations for vaccine awareness and medical freedom become reality. In this ideal scenario, legislative reforms will dismantle corporate protections and enshrine medical freedom in our Constitution. We will regain control from global organizations and redirect resources to support those affected by past injustices. Medicine will become truly personalized, with doctors prioritizing patients’ needs and embracing transparent, ethical practices. Genuine research will thrive, free from regulatory capture, leading to innovative breakthroughs and a healthier society. Children will be liberated from chronic illnesses and disabilities.

As more whistleblowers emerge and more people stand up against atrocities past and present, we are moving closer to this transformative vision. Let us unite our efforts, stay attuned to what is real and trust our intuition over fiction. Together, we can make this vision a reality.

REFERENCES

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2. The Watson et al. “modeling study”: did “COVID vac­cinations” really prevent 14 million deaths? Doctors for COVID Ethics, Aug. 29, 2022.
3. Fisher BL. The American Revolution patriots fought for autonomy and we must do that too. National Vaccine Information Center, Jun. 30, 2024.
4. Nelson K. Smallpox myths and the birth of the vac­cine awareness movement. Wise Traditions. Summer 2023;24(2):75-85.
5. HFDF Team. Huge legal victory—HFDF wins appeal in ninth circuit. Health Freedom Defense Fund, Jun. 7, 2024.
6. HFDF Team. Disney settles. Health Freedom Defense Fund, Jun. 4, 2024.
7. Manookian L. Why we sued to overturn the federal travel mask mandate—and why we won. The Defender, Apr. 22, 2022.
8. About Health Freedom Defense Fund. https://health­freedomdefense.org/about/
9. Vera Sharav. Alliance for Human Research Protection. https://ahrp.org/vera-sharav/
10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27138170/
11. Alice MA, Sharav V. Vera Sharav’s speech: We can’t forget (6/28/24) + profiles in courage: Vera Sharav. Margaret Anna Alice Through the Looking Glass, Jul. 9, 2024. https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/vera-sharavs-speech-we-cant-forget
12. Andrew Wakefield biography. Vaxxed: From Cover-up to Catastrophe. https://vaxxedthemovie.com/andrew-wakefield-biography
13. Wakefield AJ, Murch SH, Anthony A, et al. Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. Lancet. 1998 Feb 28;351(9103):637-641. Retraction in: Lancet. 2010 Feb 6;375(9713):445.
14. 7th Chakra Films. https://7thchakrafilms.com
15. Wakefield AJ. Waging War on the Autistic Child: The Arizona 5 and the Legacy of Baron von Münchausen. Skyhorse Publishing, 2012.
16. Wakefield AJ. Callous Disregard: Autism and Vaccines— the Truth Behind a Tragedy. Skyhorse Publishing, 2017.
17. https://www.lossofbraintrust.com
18. Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Data and statistics on autism spectrum disorder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 16, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
19. Dachel A. The ghastly gaslighting of DSM autism. Age of Autism, n.d. https://www.ageo­fautism.com/media/
20. Bethell CD, Kogan MD, Strickland BB, et al. A national and state profile of leading health problems and health care quality for US children: key insurance disparities and across-state variations. Acad Pediatr. 2011 May-Jun;11(3 Suppl):S22-33.
21. Child and adolescent immunization schedule by age (addendum updated June 27, 2024). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
22. https://www.ageofautism.com/a-welcome-from-dan-olmste.html
23. Christopher Shaw, Ph.D. Physicians for Informed Consent. https://physiciansforinformed­consent.org/leadership/christopher-shaw-phd/
24. Tomljenovic L, Shaw CA. Aluminum vaccine adjuvants: are they safe? Curr Med Chem. 2011;18(17):2630-2637.
25. About the journal. International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research. https:// ijvtpr.com/index.php/IJVTPR/about
26. Christopher Exley. Alliance for Human Research Protection. https://ahrp.org/board/chris­topher/
27. Thomas K. High levels of aluminum found in the brains of people with autism: an interview with professor Christopher Exley. Naturally Recovering Autism, podcast episode 103, Nov. 16, 2020. https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/2020/11/16/high-levels-of-aluminum-found-in-the-brains-of-people-with-autism-an-interview-with-professor-christopher-exley/
28. Exley C. An aluminium adjuvant in a vaccine is an acute exposure to aluminium. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2020 Jan;57:57-59.
29. Exley C. Aluminium adjuvants and vaccines. Dr’s Newsletter, Jul. 11, 2024. https://drchris­topherexley.substack.com/p/aluminium-adjuvants-and-vaccines
30. Mold M, Umar D, King A, Exley C. Aluminium in brain tissue in autism. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2018 Mar;46:76-82.
31. Mirza A, King A, Troakes C, Exley C. Aluminium in brain tissue in familial Alzheimer’s disease. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2017 Mar;40:30-36.
32. Exley C, Clarkson E. Aluminium in human brain tissue from donors without neurodegenera­tive disease: A comparison with Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and autism. Sci Rep. 2020 May 8;10(1):7770.
33. https://www.aluminiumresearchgroup.com
34. https://drchristopherexley.substack.com/
35. Exley C. Imagine You Are an Aluminum Atom: Discussions with Mr. Aluminum. Skyhorse Publishing, 2020.
36. Boyd T. Book review: Imagine You Are an Aluminum Atom by Christopher Exley. Weston A. Price Foundation, Jul. 24, 2022. https://www.westonaprice.org/book-reviews/imagine-you-are-an-aluminum-atom-by-christopher-exley/
37. https://www.aluminiumresearchgroup.com/youtube
38. https://www.drpalevsky.com/home.html
39. https://www.drpalevsky.com/videos01.html

This article appeared in Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts, the quarterly journal of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Fall 2024

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Medical and pharmaceutical history is replete with examples of dangerous interventions that have poisoned, injured, or killed. However, events since 2020 have attracted attention as never before to medicine’s potential to be both lethal and malevolent. In The Medical-Pharmaceutical Killing Machine, Children’s Health Defense situates current perils in their broader context with the aim of helping readers understand how to protect themselves and their loved ones.