Letter: ‘Washington residents have the right to research the risks of medical products and make informed medical choices for themselves, and their children’

Camas resident Margaret Tweet highlights resources for information on vaccination

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

I submit this Op-Ed as a concerned citizen highlighting resources for information on vaccination. 

Margaret Tweet
Margaret Tweet

Informed Choice Washington  supports a parents’ right and duty to protect their children’s health, free from governmental interference, based upon medical necessity, scientific research, philosophical values, or religious beliefs. They offer information about building healthy immune systems, studies on the  known risks of vaccine products and other topics.

The WA State Board of Health (BOH)  requires multiple doses of vaccines targeting 11 diseases in order to attend K-12 school or daycare, public or private.  Pharmacies in WA advertise, “School Vaccines Here.” Parents or guardians may opt-out a child from some or all state recommended immunizations by completing a Certificate of Exemption form available at the Dept of Health website, which is typically signed by a licensed healthcare provider. A religious exemption, a philosophical exemption, or a medical exemption may apply.

Known serious adverse reactions to vaccines include: brain damage, paralysis, intussusception of intestines, and death. Robert F Kennedy, Jr. and ChildrensHealthDefense.org advise parents to read:    10 Facts Every Parent Needs to Know About Vaccinations.

Vaccine Package Inserts Reveal Hundreds of Medical Conditions Linked to Vaccines.

Over $4 Billion has been paid out to victims of vaccine injury and their families by the US government. Some legal professionals specialize in such cases at no charge. Sadly, those who administer vaccines often fail to inform parents or patients about the program.

The CDC recommends off-label use of flu and Tdap vaccines to pregnant women, even though the FDA has not licensed vaccines for use in pregnancy, for protection of the infant. Pregnant mothers may decline vaccines for themselves and their babies. The CDC promotes the Hep B vaccine for newborns on day 1, 1- month, and 6 months although the vast majority are not at risk of the disease.

Consider the CDC Recommended Vaccine Schedule 1986 vs. 2019.  The CDC  now recommends 2-month old babies be subjected to the risks associated with Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, polio, HIB, Pneumococcal-13, and Rotavirus vaccines all at once, with repeat doses at 4 months, 6 months, and 15 months. Plus an annual flu shot starting at 6-months old. For babies 12-18 months old, Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis A innoculations are heaped on. The plausible connection between vaccines and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)  must be investigated. U.S. baby and child death rates are worse than many other countries, and  the US pushes the most vaccines for babies  in the developed world.

If a baby or child suffers serious reactions within hours to weeks after vaccination, parents should seek medical help. The reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), operated by the FDA and CDC.  Acute symptoms include body rash, breathing problems, collapse, prolonged screaming or crying, head pain, slurred speech, weakness or paralysis of any body part, jerking, seizures, vision or hearing problems, bleeding, or other reactions.

The highly controversial HPV vaccines are not required by Washington state. Some medical clinics promote HPV vaccines for both girls and boys. Around the world, young people whose health has declined, or families who lost a child after an HPV vaccine have risen up to warn others. Helpful resources include, Top Ten Facts for Consideration Regarding the Health Impacts of HPV Vaccination in Children  and a free webinar,  Do You or Your Child Really Need an HPV Vaccine? Experts Explore the Risks.

The flu vaccine is not required for schools and daycare in WA state, but is promoted by pharmacies  and healthcare providers who don’t always provide sufficient information about the risks, and often gain financially from administering vaccines.

Washington residents have the right to research the risks of medical products and make informed medical choices for themselves, and their children.

Margaret Tweet
Camas