Anyone see this Today Show segment?

[CookAMH]

I don't know when it aired of if this was already posted, but someone left it on my blog (I have posted about vaccines on my blog).

It's full of misinformation, as always:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/261848...24824#27453507

That lady got pretty flustered at the end!

[kiara7]

I kind of like Matt, at the end.

The subject is controversial. It isn't just autism, but the rest of the new "childhood" illnesses previously unheard of in children (diabetes, MS, RA, etc.)

The scientists themselves admit that they don't know much about the immune system of human beings. No one in their right mind would agree that shooting up kids with dozens of viruses, preservatives and all the other crap can do nothing to a healthy human being. When I was a baby, my first year I had 2 shots (TD). That's it, not 25 viruses.

I've been saying this for a while: "When I see doctors', pharm reps, pharm owners, CDC, FDA people vaccinate their kids on TV with all the vaccines that they want to shoot up my baby with, then I might reconsider."

Anyway, I think Offit and pharma's point is moot - they have no legal/financial responsibility for what they say and do everyday and see to profit from it -- so they are no experts to me.

[DocJenn]

I was also appalled at the misinformation on the segment. "Only 14 vaccines"?? Yeah, right. I wonder if that female medical doctor (forgot her name) knows how to count and has seen the vaccine schedule recently. It was a definite 'one-sided' segment. I was very happy that Matt didn't back down.

[kiwiva]

I saw it this am. So annoying! They tried to make it sound completely reasonable that Offit profits from vaccines but can have an unbiased opinion. She will often question the design of studies if they show anything against her beliefs so it is a bit much to just cite that there are 17 studies supporting her views on vax as if that is proof.

That doc is always completely pro vax and dismissive of any other view. She rushed out to get her daughter guardasil as soon as it became available. Anyone who can sit there and say that there really are no more vaccines given now than in the past is crazy.

I was glad with Matt arguing over and over that it was in fact controversial and then at the end he almost rolled his eyes at the camera. I think, at least she did come off as a bit irrational with her arguing (thou dost protest too much!).

[nikkiethridge]

Why don't they ever talk about other concerns parents have about vaccines? Honesty, I don't know too many people who don't vaccinate because they are worried about autism.

[Scattershoot]

I loved the camera angle from behind the good doctor at the beginning, as if he was in the witness protection program. Offit and the doctor doing the reporting are the persecuted ones. Don't you just love that bit. What a joke. She was physically attacked? I guess she didn't press charges or perhaps she confused a rightfully angry mother whose normal, healthy child completely deteriorated after the shots who got in her face and yelled with someone sticking a poison needle in a helpless baby's leg.

This "news" report was so pathetic. Too bad they can't just keep killing and maiming children like the good old days without people figuring out what is going on. That darn Internet. Someone needs to get a hold of that thing quick before we all die from chicken pox. Someone may even take ten seconds to pull up an old vaccine schedule and see that new shots have actually been added.

[honeybunch2k8]

Originally Posted by kiwiva

That doc is always completely pro vax and dismissive of any other view. She rushed out to get her daughter guardasil as soon as it became available. Anyone who can sit there and say that there really are no more vaccines given now than in the past is crazy.
.

For real. As a child I got Hib, DTP, MMR, OPV. That's not much compared to nowadays. In my day it was inconceivable to vax against the flu and cp, but my oh my things have changed.

Ugh. I hate how it's reduced to a question of mercury and autism. What about the philosophical theories against vaxes???

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by nikkiethridge

Why don't they ever talk about other concerns parents have about vaccines? Honesty, I don't know too many people who don't vaccinate because they are worried about autism.

Ditto. I replied to the comment on my blog and said that I've actually steered clear of the autism link in my research. There is a MULTITUDE of other things to consider when investigating vaccines besides autism. I actually skipped the autism chapter in the Cave book - I had plenty to go on with the other non-autism research.

[peainthepod]

Autism is just one of many concerns I have about the safety of vaccines. Diabetes, infertility, cancer, allergies, brain damage, and various autoimmune disorders frighten me too! Not to mention the whole "Do they even work?" question.

[honeybunch2k8]

Originally Posted by peainthepod

Autism is just one of many concerns I have about the safety of vaccines. Diabetes, infertility, cancer, allergies, brain damage, and various autoimmune disorders frighten me too! Not to mention the whole "Do they even work?" question.

Ditto!

[Toolip]

Originally Posted by nikkiethridge

Why don't they ever talk about other concerns parents have about vaccines? Honesty, I don't know too many people who don't vaccinate because they are worried about autism.

that's what I was thinking the whole time.

[philia]

Geesh !

I can't stand that woman ! What a you know what. Thank God for religious exemptions. I wish they would have mentioned that the current breakouts where I am are happening in vaccinated kids. WC is going around and all the kids who have gotten it had all of their shots. I thought the CDC has now said that it is not a one size fits all vaccine schedule and how it should be discussed with your DR. I read this on Huffington Post a few months back from one of david Kirby's posts.
Philia

[bubbles]

She is employed by Johnson and Johnson.

She also commented on an earlier segment on the Today show regarding parents w/ concerns. Matt challenged her on the question of whether we need more research in this area and she got very flustered. He ended up backing off and I wish that she hadn't. I am so glad that he challenged her again. Go Matt! I think I will send him an email .

[tayndrewsmama]

As annoying as that was, I am glad I watched it. Normally Matt Lauer drives me a bit nuts, but I was pretty impressed with him at the end. I sure wish that it was okay for some people to say what they really think about certain subjects. I am curious to know how he really feels.

Something just doesn't sit right with me regarding the death threats. It doesn't add up. Especially that anyone would threaten his children while trying to make a case in protecting their children. How come it doesn't appear than any charges have been filed or even an attempt to located these people? Maybe there has been, but I can't seem to find anything related to it.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by tayndrewsmama

As annoying as that was, I am glad I watched it. Normally Matt Lauer drives me a bit nuts, but I was pretty impressed with him at the end. I sure wish that it was okay for some people to say what they really think about certain subjects. I am curious to know how he really feels.

Something just doesn't sit right with me regarding the death threats. It doesn't add up. Especially that anyone would threaten his children while trying to make a case in protecting their children. How come it doesn't appear than any charges have been filed or even an attempt to located these people? Maybe there has been, but I can't seem to find anything related to it.

I was wondering about that too when I watched it. I hadn't heard anything about it prior to that segment. He often also publishes articles that don't cite any evidence or research but uses his position as a dr. to act like what he said is THE word and can't be challenged. I just can't get past the fact that he makes millions and his vaccines have been known to kill babies .

[ColwynsMommy]

Originally Posted by kiwiva

I was glad with Matt arguing over and over that it was in fact controversial and then at the end he almost rolled his eyes at the camera. I think, at least she did come off as a bit irrational with her arguing (thou dost protest too much!).

Just wanted to say that I loved the eye roll. I got the feeling he thought he wasn't on camera at first, then caught himself. Too funny, and too bad they didn't show it on the clip online (or maybe my crappy computer just skipped it).

[Ophelia]

Just wanted to bring this up again because this was in Oct 24-26 USA Weekend Magazine:

The most significant breakthrough? I'd say it has been vaccinations. We were the first generation to get shots for polio and measles. I remember lining up in my elementary school cafeteria and getting a sugar cube as my 'reward' for being so brave when I rolled up my sleeve. But getting an injection was a small price to pay to grow up free of worry about such childhood diseases as polio and diptheria -Dr. Nancy Snyderman

Wow. I can't help but wonder what's going on here. Does she have her head in the sand? Does she know anything about SV-40? The change in diagnostic criteria for polio AFTER the vaccine came out? Is there a conflict of interest going on here? Hmmmm...

[CookAMH]

Does anyone subscribe to the NVIC e-newsletter? Barbara Loe Fisher had a good response. It'll probably be on her blog later today. (updated, now on her blog, as posted by Turquesa)

A snippit:

The day before Halloween, Offit's good friend TV doc Nancy Snyderman gave [Offit] a helping hand when she attempted to relentlessly browbeat the intellectually honest and affable Matt Lauer into agreeing with Offit that public debate about vaccines and autism is dangerous and should immediately cease. Gritting her teeth through a steely grin and hissing "It is NOT controversial" at her stunned NBC-TV colleague over and over again, Snyderman's on-camera meltdown was an unexpected Halloween treat for Moms making breakfast for the kids.

The interesting thing about Snyderman's glowing video tribute to her friend and subsequent tantrum when Lauer innocently labeled the vaccine- autism topic a "controversy," was her insistence that public debate should stop because her hero had gotten "death threats" presumably from distraught parents of vaccine injured autistic children. That same sentiment was forwarded by medical reporters at Newsweek magazine and ABC- TV, who appeared to agree with Offit's point of view that citizens questioning vaccine safety and forced use of vaccines are dangerous.

Bold added by me.

She also mentions the earlier show The Doctors and the more balanced discussion that took place there, I guess.

[novaxmomof2]

I found Nancy Snyderman to be extremely biased and very annoying. She was almost as annoying as the female pediatrician featured on the tv show "The Doctors" when they were discussing the MMR vaccine and whether or not it should be mandated. This woman was a real piece of work. She looked straight at the mother of a vaccine-injured child and said "In all of my 10 years of practice I have not seen a single vaccine reaction". I wanted to scream, well actually I did! These doctors really make me angry. I was proud of Matt for challenging her.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by tayndrewsmama

Something just doesn't sit right with me regarding the death threats. It doesn't add up. Especially that anyone would threaten his children while trying to make a case in protecting their children. How come it doesn't appear than any charges have been filed or even an attempt to located these people? Maybe there has been, but I can't seem to find anything related to it.

Granted, in the 1990s there were nut-cases calling themselves "pro-life" who ended up murdering abortion doctors. But I do agree that it doesn't add up.

Offit is employing a classic tactic. If at first you don't succeed in stopping people from protesting or even questioning your actions, play the martyrdom card. It worked. The media has taken the bait.

And of course I think that death threats (if they did indeed occur) are wrong! But I also think that by drawing attention to them, you can distract the public from the main issue of questioning vaccine safety. We're to think that Offit's gotta be a good guy who's right on everything. After all, he's received threats.

ETA: Oh, wow! I just did some quick investigating and uncovered Snyderman's former ties to ABC news. So of course ABC, clearly her ally, is going to provide the sensationalistic story that I linked above. I believe that she's no longer employed with Johnson and Johnson, but she's had her hand in too many corporate cookie jars to be considered a credible source.