Japan panel finds no link to vaccines, deaths

[Godhumor]

Source: Reuters

A panel of experts at Japan's health ministry found no direct link between vaccines made by Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and Sanofi-Aventis SA (SASY.PA) and the deaths of children, but said further checks were needed, Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday.

Japan will keep its suspension on the use of the vaccines that prevent meningitis and pneumonia, a health ministry official said after the safety panel's meeting, but declined to comment further.

...

Three of the children that died in Japan were administered Prevenar together with ActHIB. In addition, three of the children also received a mixed vaccine against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus on the same day they received the other vaccines.

Three of the four children died a day after being immunized. The deaths happened between March 2 and March 4.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/08/japan-vaccine-idUSTOE72707L20110308

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New article today about the results of the examination. As I expected, no link found (Other articles talk about the children having pre-existing conditions), but Japan will continue the suspension for further study.

Japan has only approved for use approximately half of the vaccines that we are accustomed to here in the US. There is a deep suspicion of vaccines held by many in the country all the way up to those in government/medical roles(For example, Prevenar, one of the drugs in the study was not approved in Japan until 2009 compared to 2000 in the US).

[xchrom]

1. some how -- you knew that was coming. nt

[AtheistCrusader]

2. Quell surprise.

Thanks for posting.

[WatsonT]

3. Doesn't matter

to the true-believers out there this will make no difference.

Anyone who is educated enough to study such things is in on the conspiracy as far as they're concerned. So further studies only prove how deep the conspiracy runs (in their minds).

Look how long the autism thing has persisted despite mountains of evidence against it.

In other words: don't try to reason with religion.

[Stuckinthebush]

4. That autism thing is odd

Why hang on to that when the evidence is so against it? There was a null hypothesis that was tested time and again that was never rejected. Case should be closed on that.

[WatsonT]

5. Well there will always be people willing to believe any foolish thing

and then on top of that you have aggrieved parents who would otherwise feel that it is their fault that they produced an autistic child. That something they did caused this to happen.

In light of that I can understand why so many would be willing to find any explanation to salve their guilt.

/not that they are to blame, we still don't know what causes it. But it is natural to feel guilty even though it isn't logical.

[Godhumor]

7. Exactly it, I think

It also didn't help that you had actual "doctors" like Wakefield playing into those fears. Adding any level of legitimacy to quackery only exacerbates the problem.

[Tumbulu]

6. Science requires the observer to be careful and study

actual effects and results.

I am happy that they are being careful.

They are approaching these deaths exactly as one would expect.

[Godhumor]

8. As long as the suspension is lifted, I agree.

No word yet on what "additional testing" is required or why even necessary.