Vaccine Nation

by David Lender

  Madsen said, “Those substances are in trace amounts.”

  “Oh, so a little poison is a good thing?”

  Bradley said, “Let’s look at some of those substances.”

  Dani said, “Thimerosal is one I didn’t mention yet. It’s a preservative that’s 49.6 percent mercury, one of the most toxic elements on earth—”

  Madsen said, “It was removed voluntarily by the year 2004 from the childhood vaccine schedule, after questions were raised about it, even though in the trace amounts it existed it did no harm.”

  “It was removed after representative Dan Burton’s Congressional hearings for the House Committee on Government Reform put pressure on the industry. After it was disclosed that the patent holder’s Medical/Science Department requested that the claim ‘non-toxic’ be removed from thimerosal labels as far back as 1967. After it was publicized that in 1982, an independent panel convened by the FDA called for removal of all mercurybased preservatives, including thimerosal, from OTC topical products because they were ‘not generally recognized as safe and effective,’ meaning, too toxic to rub on your skin.”

  Madsen arched his back, looking flustered for the first time. “It was removed. It’s ancient history. Irrelevant to this discussion.”

  “What about the flu vaccine?”

  Madsen said, “Yes, thimerosal is in it in trace amounts, because it’s necessary as a disinfectant and preservative.”

  “And no other disinfectant and preservative is available?” Before Madsen could respond, she said, “About one hundred million Americans receive the flu shot each year, at the urging of our government, the pharmaceutical industry, and advertisements in newspapers and posters in every drugstore in the country.”

  “Most who receive the flu shot are adults. This discussion is about our routine childhood vaccinations.”

  “So, it’s okay to shoot a little mercury into our mothers, sickly aunts and grandmothers? And I point out that the flu shot is recommended by the CDC for children up to age eighteen. That means thimerosal, which means mercury.”

  Bradley said, “We’re getting off topic. Ms. North, can we go back to some of the other substances on your list?”

  Dani said, “Sure, aluminum—”

  “Aluminum is an adjuvant—a necessary component in vaccines—a substance that stimulates the immune response.”

  “I think you meant to say an adjuvant of some sort is a necessary element in vaccines, didn’t you? Surely, you didn’t mean that aluminum, a known toxic heavy metal such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, is the only adjuvant that can be used, and is essential to be injected into our babies as part of their routine childhood vaccines?”

  “Artfully—or shall I say craftily—worded, Ms. North. An adjuvant is necessary, yes. Aluminum is currently by far the most effective known adjuvant, present in trace amounts, less than .5 percent.”

  “For a substance as toxic as aluminum, .5 percent of the vaccine isn’t a trace amount.” Dani felt her anger rising. “David, you asked about other ingredients. Here’s another. Phenoxyethanol. That’s the chemical name. It’s in a number of vaccines. It’s commonly known to the average consumer as antifreeze, used in your car’s cooling system.”

  Madsen said, “You’re beginning to engage in sensationalism, Ms. North. Trace amounts.”

  Both Dani and Madsen paused. Bradley steered the discussion again, saying, “Let’s talk about studies of the side effects of vaccines.”

  Madsen grinned. “This is one I’d like to debunk once and for all. All those who say we haven’t done any statistical testing of vaccines are plain wrong. I can point to numerous studies, but for the sake of brevity, let’s consider the most comprehensive one. It was an epidemiological study—a population study—of 110,000 children in selected HMOs comparing those receiving thimerosal-containing vaccines with those getting vaccines without thimerosal. The study was undertaken for the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. It was published in November, 2003 and showed no statistical evidence of increased risk of speech or language delay in the thimerosal group.”

  Dani couldn’t help but shake her head. “That’s a tired old study. There’s a shocking quote from a Dr. Johnson who attended the now infamous Simpsonwood off-site CDC invitation-only conference in the year 2000, to discuss the ongoing findings of that study. This doctor—an industry expert on a panel to consider the safety of vaccines for our National Immunization Program—told his colleagues that his first grandchild had just been born. He went on to say, ‘I don’t want that grandson to get a thimerosal-containing vaccine until we know better what is going on.’ Here are other quotes from that off-site: ‘What if the lawyers get hold of this?’ ‘There’s not a scientist in the world who can refute these findings.’ But lest you think I’m being sensationalist, let me point to the fact that that study went through at least four iterations. The first established statistically that a child getting the thimerosal-containing vaccines was 2.5 times more likely to have neurodevelopmental disorders than a child in the group that received vaccines without thimerosal. The study was revised through four subsequent iterations, in which the data were continually massaged until no statistically significant evidence of harm from the thimerosal vaccines was detected. But don’t take my word for it. There’s an excellent book called Evidence of Harm, by David Kirby, a respected investigative reporter who’s written for The New York Times, that lays out the multiple iterations of that study.”

  Dani could see Denise at the other end of the room shaking her fist in the air. And while it was distracting and she wished Denise would knock it off, it spurred Dani’s confidence.

  Bradley said, “What about other studies?”

  Dani said, “A former Director of the National Institutes of Health, Bernadine Healy, said that research was insufficient to conclude that vaccines don’t cause autism. She also said that public health officials have intentionally avoided researching whether subsets of children are susceptible to vaccine side effects because we’re afraid of the answers we might get. And isn’t that the real question here? Are these things safe? Or are they damaging our children, and if so, shouldn’t you people who make them be held responsible?”

  Madsen looked annoyed, maybe worn down. Dani saw her chance. “You mentioned an epidemiological study of vaccines earlier.” She felt a spurt of adrenaline. “What’s Project Epsilon?”

  Madsen rose up in his chair. “That’s an old study started ten years ago that was halted about five years ago.”

  “I understand twenty vaccine makers were compiling data. A control group of unvaccinated children versus a test group of those receiving the then-mandated national vaccine schedule.”

  Madsen said, “That’s generally correct.”

  “Why was it stopped?”

  “After five years of study, no statistical significance of adverse side effects was detected in the vaccinated group. We felt it was unethical to continue to deprive the unvaccinated control group of the critical benefits of vaccines.”

  “That’s interesting. Because I think if you offered that today, a huge group would opt into that study as part of the unvaccinated control group. What if viewers of this program could make that choice, based on our discussion today?”

  Madsen looked fully composed again. “I think you’re overestimating your own effectiveness.”

  “I can accept that. We’ll see. Face the Press has set up a phone line for people watching this program to text their interest in participating in such a control group. They’re showing the phone number on the screen right now.”

  Bradley said, “We’re about out of time for this segment, but we have forty-five minutes left in the program. We’ll see how many people text in. Let’s wrap this up on the subject of our original question: whether Congress should continue providing immunity for the vaccine makers. Each of you please summarize your position. Mr. Madsen, let’s start with you.”

  Madsen looked into the camera like some benevolent uncle, a h
alf-smile on his lips. “Certainly, David. As I said at the outset, our National Immunization Program is a U.S. government health priority. It is a program created and administered by a U.S. government agency—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—with recommendations from the Federal Drug Administration. The pharmaceutical industry simply manufactures vaccines and provides them to the government for the program. But it’s not the industry’s program, and if the government believes it is a national health priority, then it is appropriate that we manufacturers be absolved of liability for a governmentmandated program. This is especially important in our litigious society, where to lift that veil of protection would subject the pharmaceutical companies to liability exposure that could potentially bankrupt them. If such were the case, most, if not all, vaccine manufacturers would exit the business. Congressional immunity for the pharmaceutical industry for the vaccine program is essential if the vaccine program is to continue. It’s that simple.” Bradley said, “Thank you, Mr. Madsen. Ms. North?” Dani felt herself leaning toward the camera in her urgency, and forced herself to sit back upright in the chair. No nerves now. “I think it’s a bit disingenuous to take the position that the National Immunization Program is purely a federal government priority. The pharmaceutical industry makes billions from it each year, and has heavily influenced the number and schedule of vaccinations from the outset. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which recommends vaccines to be added to the schedule, is stacked with members of the pharmaceutical industry, physicians who hold patents on vaccines, and people who receive research grants or sweetheart speaking honoraria from the pharmaceutical industry. Some of the members are stockholders of the pharmaceutical companies. The FDA’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee advises the CDC on vaccines and has similar ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

  “So let’s not kid ourselves. The pharmaceutical industry is in a cozy relationship with its customer and regulator here. And it has substantial influence—and some would argue too much influence—over a program that routinely shoots toxic substances into our babies. Mr. Madsen has said that withholding vaccines from a group of children in establishing a control group as part of a study of vaccines’ side effects raises an ethical issue. I would argue that any state-mandated vaccination program that never undertakes scientific studies of the combined and interactive effects of all the vaccines in its schedule is unethical. And why should the vaccine makers be singled out to be absolved from any responsibility for the damage that their products may be causing? We have other national priorities besides the vaccine program. Should manufacturers of subway cars and trains be exempt from liability because transportation programs are state and federal government priorities? If parents aren’t given a choice about whether or not to vaccinate their children, why shouldn’t they be able to hold the manufacturers of those vaccines responsible for any damage those vaccines cause? We say they should. Congress should remove the pharmaceutical industry’s indemnity for vaccines. If the manufacturers are faced with consequences, maybe they’ll work harder to assure their products are safe.”

  Dani heard the music for the cut to a commercial. The TV flashed to an ad for Quaker Oats and after a moment Carrie came on the computer screen and said, “We’re off.”

  Dani pushed her chair back from the desk, closed the laptop. Denise rushed to her. “Fabulous! You were great! Let the bastards chew on that!” She trotted to the other end of the room and started chattering on her cell phone. Dani allowed herself a long sigh of relief. Her legs felt weak, but when she pushed herself to her feet, she felt like she was floating.

  Madsen wondered what the hell just hit him. The girl had started out like a mosquito, advanced to the annoyance of a gnat, and finished up like a swarm of hornets. He’d need to see the tape, but he thought he’d just gotten his ass kicked. He was pissed. He wanted to talk to someone about getting sucker-punched by this phone number being flashed on the screen, too. And how the hell did she know anything about Project Epsilon? Unless Maguire told her. All the more reason why the contractor needed to get to her and retrieve that data. But so far the killer had failed, and Madsen needed to do something about that. He put on his best genial smile for Bradley, thanked him and headed for the elevator.

  The hell with the contractor. Madsen dialed Xavier to have him put someone else on the girl. When Xavier’s voicemail connected, he left a message for Xavier to call him back.

  Denise started pacing back and forth in the room, working her cell phone again. Dani decided she was pleased with her performance. She not only did okay, she scored some points. And the amazing thing was, after she got over her nerves, she enjoyed herself.

  Richard came out of the bedroom, smiling. “You were great. Just great,” he said, taking her in his arms. He gave her a long kiss and she pressed against him. She didn’t know if it was desire, release of tension, or both. Who cared? Now Richard ushered her over to the sofa, one arm still around her.

  “I thought I started off a little rough.”

  “You did. So what? You were devastating once you got rolling.”

  “Thanks.”

  “If our circumstances were different, I’d be ordering champagne. As it is you’ll have to settle for brunch.”

  It was a triumphant moment. But she reminded herself what she was up against, and how much danger she was still in.

  NINE

  AT 10:30 A.M. STARK FIDGETED in the back seat of his car service Lincoln Town Car. He was halfway through his rounds to the only four Washington hotels where he figured the girl and the guy she was now traveling with could be staying. The client hadn’t been much help yesterday, knew less than Stark did. So Stark relied on his own observations and instincts. He’d cruised The Willard, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and the Plaza until 1:00 a.m., paid bellhops and doormen for information, got their hours so he could check back with them. All the hotels must’ve dealt with the same unions, because they had three identical shifts. The only shift he hadn’t worked yet was this one: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The driver pulled the car up to the Four Seasons and Stark got out in front of the canopy. He took the list out of his pocket and checked the names of the doorman and bell captain for the previous shift. He wiped his eyes.

  Stark approached a beefy man in uniform stationed next to the brass revolving door. “Hi,” Stark said.

  “Good morning, sir.”

  Stark stopped. “Did Carlos on the previous shift mention me to you? Ronnie Richards?”

  The doorman shook his head. “No, sir.”

  “That’s okay.” He extended his hand. The doorman reluctantly shook it. “Ronnie Richards,” Stark said. “I’m a PI working on a delicate matter. Domestic situation.”

  “I see.”

  “What’s your name, my friend?”

  “Victor.”

  “Well, Victor, my client thinks his wife is horsing around. I don’t have a picture, but she’s five four, short brown hair, kinda wiry and athletic looking. Big boobs. The guy I think she’s with would be about six two, brown hair, good clothes. Carrying high-end luggage.”

  “Sounds like about every other couple that walks in here.”

  “Yeah, that’s what Carlos said. Well, I’d appreciate it if you keep your eyes open.” Stark handed him a folded $100 bill. “There’s another of those in it for you if you spot them and call me.” Stark handed him a piece of paper with his cell phone number. “Pleasure meeting you, Victor,” Stark said, and headed through the revolving doors to meet the bell captain.

  Stark was surprised he hadn’t heard anything yet, even a few false alarms with the extra swag hanging out there, but something would turn up. And the client would have some information for him eventually. He’d find the girl.

  Madsen went back to his room at the Four Seasons Hotel and phoned Stiles. He’d calmed down to the point he could speak rationally, but he could still feel his anger simmering beneath the surface. He almost hoped Stiles would piss him off so he
could let it out. “We need to regroup,” he said.

  Stiles acted like Madsen hadn’t spoken. It made Madsen’s face start to burn. Stiles said, “McCloskey seems to have police protection, because nobody can get near his apartment. Our teams recognized plainclothes cops watching the building.”

  Madsen was thinking: What the fuck are you worrying about McCloskey for? but he couldn’t tell Stiles the real story. Maybe the cops had an angle and wanted to keep McCloskey’s murder quiet for now.

  “Forget about McCloskey. I’m convinced the girl’s here in Washington. Did you watch Face the Press?”

  “Of course.”

  “They had her patched in over the Internet, but my gut says she’s here.” Madsen’s jaw clenched. The little bitch. Stiles didn’t say anything about Face the Press. Probably meant Madsen did get his ass kicked. “What else you got?”

  “After the girl and the guy got off the train, we found a Hertz car rental location in Wilmington where the man she’s now traveling with rented a car.”

  Madsen felt his pulse pick up.

  Stiles went on, “You won’t believe this. He’s Richard Blum. We got his credit card number. He’s used it to pay for a room at the Willard Hotel. That must be where they’re staying.”

  “Richard Blum?” Madsen felt the news like a slam in the gut. One of his investment bankers.

  “You heard me. It’s our boy. Head of the Healthcare Group at BofA.”

  “What are the odds of the girl knowing him?”

  “Probably a chance meeting. Whatever, it seems to be good information. Our people in Wilmington said the car rental agent told them Blum was traveling with a woman. I already have a team covering the Willard.”

  Madsen’s brain was working to catch up. Stiles was right. Meeting Blum had to be pure coincidence. But it certainly raised some issues. Blum knew as much about Madsen as anyone on the Street. Which wasn’t much. But still, it was awkward. Madsen said, “We’ll need a strategy to get the data from the girl when they find her. She probably isn’t going to hand it over.”