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Get Your Jabs
by Mary Barry, MD
And save your abs – do you want to see your belly covered with measles?
The British refer to vaccine shots as jabs, a term I like. They are quick, they are easy and they work.
A few years ago, I enrolled in an IU Health study of a COVID-19 vaccine; after multiple trips over a couple of years up and down to Indy, I learned that I had gotten the placebo. No matter; during those years I had more hope that I would be less likely to die from Covid, and I felt I could make a small contribution to science. I had also scouted out every farm store, Dairy Del and antique mall along the way. My prize find was a huge silver soup ladle engraved with“ Dan Quayle Inauguration” and I would laugh every time I used it. Sadly, it is currently missing. I have my suspects, but I fear it has been lost in space.
As of October, a local research firm had a flu vaccine study enrolling; if you look around, and wish to add to our vaccine efficacy knowledge, you certainly can do so right here at home( without enduring I-65).
The current administration, however, continues to fight against vaccinations. As reported by the New York Times in October, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has begun investigating the pediatricians who protect the state’ s children. Mr. Paxton has“ charged multiple doctors, drug companies and insurers of improperly using financial incentives to influence childhood vaccine recommendations.”
As if it were criminal to encourage parents to protect their children … or doctors to protect their patients: only a diehard anti-vaxxer could even consider this.
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A doctor’ s refusal to counsel parents to consent to vaccines could be construed as malpractice, adding to the legal headaches these doctors are facing. Joining the anti-vax hysteria fueled by the current administration goes against every teaching of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Per Christina Jewett in the Oct. 9 New York Times, Texas Attorney General Paxton is demanding vaccine purchase records, statewide, from doctors who care for children, and is also investigating the American Academy of Pediatrics.“ The division believes that you are in possession, custody and control of material involving potential misleading or deceptive acts regarding incentives associated with the administration of childhood vaccines.” The accusations relate to the state’ s deceptive trade practices law.
The letter requested a female pediatrician’ s practice’ s vaccine policy and specifically noted that the CDC’ s recommended vaccine schedule“ would not be sufficient” as a defense. Ms. Jewett also notes that Mr. Paxton has“ accused the American Academy of Pediatrics of deceptively promoting childhood vaccines for financial gain.”
The facts are that most practices barely break even, and many lose money, by buying, storing and administering vaccines to children. Pediatric offices contacted by the Times laughed at the idea that they“ received huge bonuses” for acquiring vaccine stock. Of course, facts are immaterial when a political figure is grandstanding for his boss.
This same CDC has estimated that here in the U. S., more than 1.1 million deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases were, in fact, prevented between 1994 and 2023. I remember having measles when I was around 5 – all of us got it at once, and luckily, all of us emerged unscathed( I was fascinated that I had a rash that did not itch). The
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