Doctors hit out at film

September 11, 2008

Dear Sir

We are writing regarding certain erroneous information being used in association with the Mother Baby International Film festival. The promotion for the documentary film "Vaccine Nation" has come to our attention. It contains statements that are patently incorrect. Kids are NOT "receiving doses of toxic mercury and other heavy metals well above environmental safety standards". That is simply not true. There is no thimerosal (which contained ethyl mercury) in vaccines used for young children today.

There are naturally occurring organic mercury (methylmercury) compounds found widely in the environment at low levels: in water, infant formula and in breast milk. Some fish species at the top of the food chain contain a high enough concentration that pregnant women should avoid these fish entirely while others should limit their intake. The amount of ethylmercury (thimerosal) that was present in older vaccines was infinitesimal in comparison with the amounts of naturally occurring mercury (methylmercury) that can be received from all sources of mercury in the environment.

It has been estimated that an exclusively breastfed infant will ingest more than twice the quantity of mercury that would have been contained in all the vaccines he or she might have received, if vaccines still contained thimerosal. However, exclusively breast fed infants have been shown to have higher IQs than other infants, supporting that such trace amounts have no deleterious effect. No one suggests that mercury is not a neurotoxin, but toxicity does depend on the form and amount ingested. Moreover, where the neurotoxicity of mercury has occurred it does not produce symptoms consistent with or diagnosed as autism.

Dr Null disparages Edward Jenner, who first developed the smallpox vaccine. We wonder if Dr Null will mention that smallpox claimed 300 million lives in the 20th century alone, more than the number that died from all wars combined in that period? And that smallpox has been eradicated worldwide through the use of the vaccine that Dr. Jenner pioneered. One of us had friends in University who had significant physical handicaps because of having had polio. Prior to development of the vaccine, 13-20,000 cases of paralytic polio occurred each year in the US. In 1988, the World Health Organisation launched a global initiative to eradicate polio. At that time, wild poliovirus was endemic in over 125 countries, paralysing over 1000 children every day.

Today polio has been completely eradicated in the western hemisphere. In 2006, fewer than 2000 cases of polio were reported worldwide and only four countries had not been successful in eradicating polio transmission. This Global Polio Eradication Initiative is very close to achieving its goal; within a few years polio may be eradicated globally and like smallpox, the vaccine would no longer be necessary. We are relieved we no longer have children dying from other serious infections such as hemophilus or meningococcal meningitis, because they can be — and have been — immunised against these organisms. The diseases once considered typical childhood diseases are now referred to in medical schools and training programs as "vaccine-preventable diseases".

With the exception of smallpox, the viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable disease and death still exist. Nearly one million non-immunized people still die from measles annually around the world. If we stopped immunisation, measles would increase to pre-vaccine levels and an estimated 2.7 million deaths would occur worldwide. The long term efficacy of global vaccination is neither controversial nor inconclusive, as Dr Null claims. We also agree that Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder are diagnosed more frequently than in the past, but that is in large part because the diagnostic criteria have been expanded and the disorders are better recognised. Behaviours that were given no name before are now recognised as part of this spectrum.

There is strong evidence for a genetic component in the development of autism. However, autism and other mental disabilities are not at "epidemic" proportions. Extensive and thorough review of the experience with the vaccination of many millions of children has shown that there is no evidence that vaccines cause Autism. Earlier this year, Michael Katz MD, the senior Vice-President for Research and Global Programs for the March of Dimes, stated "The implication that vaccinations cause autism is irresponsible and counterproductive."

We hope those that watch the film(s) will assess critically the likely veracity of the statements made; Dr Null is not providing "the whole truth and nothing but the truth" about vaccines. As paediatricians whose focus it is to maintain and foster the physical and emotional health of children, we find the approach used by Dr Null — an unbalanced, unscientific approach using unfounded hypotheses, unconfirmed and anecdotal data and testimonials, and quite frankly numerous mistruths – dangerous to the public health system and to all children. Few parents have the scientific background in microbiology, immunology, epidemiology and statistics to separate good scientific studies from poor ones.

We encourage families to discuss concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy with their doctor, and to refer to reputable and respectable sources of information (www.cdc.gov, www.immunizationinfo.org, www.cispimmunize.org, www.vaccine.chop.edu, and www.vaccinateyourbaby.org are several excellent websites). Childhood immunisations have been one of the most important medical advances of the 20th century. In a sense, vaccines are victims of their own success: because most young parents (and even doctors) have never seen these diseases and the suffering and deaths they can cause, many are not concerned about the very real possibility of their child contracting one of these diseases if they are not immunised. We cannot afford to let such misinformation go uncorrected, and vaccinations become discredited, lest we allow history to repeat itself.

We are sending this letter signed by all paediatricians in Bermuda (except one, who is off the Island and we were unable to contact him).

Bermuda Paediatricians:

Dr. Bente Lundh

Dr. Eugene Outerbridge

Dr. Ryan Bates

Dr. June Hill

Dr. Peter Perinchief

Dr. Stephen West

Serious as a heart attack

September 12, 2008

Dear Sir,

On the front page of today's Mid-Ocean News my attention was drawn to a pertinent as well as relevant situation for all to heed; i.e. the changes that have/are being made at the K.E.M.H.

This has caused many of our general practitioners (private doctors) to be extremely concerned, and personally "I don't blame them." I say that for this reason; I was admitted last month to the emergency via ambulance (I have no memory of this) I commend those who'd attended to my needs, but I have to also mention, it wasn't until after I and my private doctor reviewed the medicines that were being at the time recommended and administrated while I was in the care of a "house doctor" (who'd no knowledge of the changes of meds. that my personal doctor has made) I guess some will say "I'm fortunate", I like to say " I am blessed" to not encounter any adverse affects from the medicine I was given…

The medicine that I was taking while a patient at the hospital, was something I'd been taken off of nine months prior when last admitted to the KEMH. This was the latest info. they'd had of my need at the hospital … Now, here is my point, it was due to the lack of communication/collaboration with the hospital requesting of my personal doctor as to what's the latest change/s (if any) he'd made of my meds … Now, how safe will you feel when/if you are admitted to our only hospital?

RAYMOND RAY

St. George's

P.s. I pray my next admittance to K.E.M.H. isn't purposely my last… I'm serious as a heart attack.

Sick and tired of costs

September 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

Is it only me or has someone else noticed. Every month I hold my breath when I open up my Belco bill. I know I use the A/C in the summer months and I expect a bigger bill than the rest of the year but come on people, a fuel adjustment of $264 on top of my bill this month and an adjustment of $235 last month. How can a utility company double our monthly bill and call it 'Fuel Adjustment'…. I'm sorry but I call it highway robbery. Something is not right here. If we don't stand up and complain about it, it will continue to happen. We need answers… and we're sick and tired of hearing 'The price of fuel has gone up'…. as an excuse. I call it greed.

L. FOX

St. David's

Ulterior motive?

September 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

I'm curious – why is the celebration commemorating National Heroes' Day being held on Sunday, October 12, 2008, the day BEFORE the public holiday. Perhaps because it clashes with another event and the real reason the public holiday was schedule for Monday, October 13, 2008.

CURIOUS

Hamilton Parish

Car park rusting away

September 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

For the absence of a coat of paint on the badly rusting metal floor supports in various parts of the structure, the Corporation of Hamilton is idly watching Bulls Head car park head for an early date with condemnment, wasting taxpayers money and creating a future mammoth parking problem for the public who work in Hamilton. I suggest the Corporation use some common sense and perform the required periodic preservation maintenance before it is too late.

COLIN BARNES

Pembroke

Cars were replaced in '04

September 10, 2008

Dear Sir,

Today's Royal Gazette reports that the Government has purchased three Toyota Camry cars to replace GP2, GP4 & GP8. Derrick Burgess, Minister of Works & Engineering, is quoted as saying "They were the oldest in the fleet. They were almost ten years old. We were having problems with them. It was nothing out of the ordinary as they come of age we have to replace them."

However, per the related stories link helpfully provided via the Gazette's online presence there is a similar story by Robyn Skinner published on 23 July 2004 titled "Govt. bought 58 cars for VIP functions" which refers to a statement released by (then Works & Engineering Minister) Ashfield De Vent wherein he remarked that "GP2, and GP4 and GP 8 were bought to replace older vehicles within the Government fleet" and "Government standards dictate that a ministerial car other than the Peugeot vehicles, after eight years of use, be put with the Ministry's car pool and an older car is then taken out of service."

These two news reports appear to be incongruous. Mr. DeVent confirmed GP2, GP4 & GP8 were in fact replaced only four years ago, however, Mr. Burgess now says the Toyotas are replacing cars that are almost ten years old. Which W&E Minister has their facts right and more importantly why are we, the taxpayers, continually funding bigger and better ministerial cars for our already overcrowded roads? For a government which professes to support concepts of prudence, transparency, sustainable development and fiscal conservatism why can't our Ministers lead by example and make efforts to reduce congestion, pollution and excessive spending instead of the opposite?

Perhaps if the PLP followed through on their election platform promise for free transportation for all, these same Ministers (and numerous supporting staff members who have been 'gifted' government vehicles) could materially and positively reduce their carbon footprint (and at the same time our taxes) by opting to use the public transportation system instead? Just think how much easier it would be for the media if all of the MPs and related publicity hounds arrived by bus at the same destination at the same time for another photo opportunity of an as yet unfulfilled election promise or the announcement of a new initiative?

KEG

Pembroke

Security confiscations

September 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

On the Sunday August 17, my 19 year old son left Bermuda on the BA flight to London. Whilst he was here he bought two expensive bottles of men's cologne, costing him well over $100 to take home as a present for his brothers, using up the remainder of his hard earned student money.

Like most students he travelled light and I suggested he took his bag on the plane as hand luggage. Whilst going through the security screening prior to entry to the departure lounge the bottles were picked up on the scanner and removed from his bag as they were slightly over the volume allowed. He was understandably upset by this but appreciated that the law had to be upheld in this area.

Upon his return to the UK on the Monday he rang me to explain what had happened and asked me to speak to the airport security staff and try and get the goods returned. I could not get to the airport on the Monday and tried in vain to speak to someone about this problem… No luck. The following day I visited the airport and went to see the security staff on duty. I explained what had happened and said that I would like the bottles returned. They knew nothing of this but confirmed I was entitled to have the goods returned and said they would speak to the staff on duty that night and call me back. To be fair they did call me back but confirmed, surprise, surprise, that no one knew anything about the bottles or what happened to them. Having been through security many times and noting that there are never that many staff on duty I can't believe that no one knows what happened to them and can only draw the conclusion that there is something very wrong and not very pleasant within the airport security system.

It is fare comment that if an item breaches the security code it should be removed but does it give the security officer on duty the right to keep it?… I do not think so, to me it is airport theft and should be stopped at once.

A. FINLAY

Hamilton Parish

Thanks for support

August 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

Recently the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda held an Appreciation Bowling Evening for our Candy Stripers and Strummers.

On behalf of the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda I would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude for the donations from the following businesses whom, without their support our Bowling Evening would not have been such a great success:

All Wrapped Up; Ascots Restaurant; C Travel; Cellular One; Crisson, H.S. & J.E., Ltd.; Digicel; H.A.B. Gift Shop; Henry VIII Restaurant; John Barritt & Son; Liberty Theatre; MarketPlace Supermarkets; Music World; North Rock Communications Ltd.; Peoples Pharmacy; and Phoenix Stores Limited.

Candy Striping is a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop character and maturity. Our student volunteers gain experience through teamwork and are given the chance to take on important responsibilities. Above all, they are learning to make a difference in their community by undertaking rewarding and satisfying work.

Thank you very much again, for making our Annual Appreciation Evening such a success by showing our students how much the community supports their efforts.

ELIZABETH TITTERTON

President

HAB