A word on vaccines.

I can't remember when or how the discussion on the subject of vaccines began in our home. I heard that some vaccines were made using aborted fetal tissue, maybe even monkeys or human organs and that gelatin was used in their production as well. I did some research online, but that is a bit scary so I turned to our pediatrician. She assured me that there was nothing to worry about, she had never heard of any of the above being in vaccines. To assure me, however, she gave me the information that comes with each vaccine - the actual pamphlet that is inside the vaccine when they arrive at her office. In reading them I became concerned that she was wrong so I called the company that manufactures them - in this case Merck. Since so many of you have shown interest on the subject I thought I would "publish my findings" here. I know this is a controversial subject, and I want to say that I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers out there. I just wanted to let everyone know what I had found out and encourage anyone that is interested to call their pediatrician and found what company (or companies) supply their vaccines and get more information.

These are the vaccines that Merck manufactures and that I inquired about. I specifically asked if they were made using animal tissue, aborted fetal tissue, human tissue of any kind, and gelatin. If so, I will say so next to it.

• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• Polio
• MMR - Gelatin and the rubella has aborted human fetal tissue
• Varicella (chicken pox) - Gelatin and aborted human fetal tissue
• Meningococcal
• Pnemococcal
• Hepatitis A - Aborted human fetal tissue

The woman I spoke with was very helpful. She wanted to assure me that the ones made from an aborted baby were FDA approved.. obtained 30 years ago.. approved by some council.. and that these two babies were the only ones they had ever used to make vaccines.

Merck does not manufacture the DTap vaccine, but a company called Sanofi Pasteur does. I have sent an inquiry but am still waiting to hear. This is a vaccine I am particularly interested in since there have been so many whopping cough outbreaks in our area.

So, for all interested parties, there you have it.