In a recent case of a batch of spoiled vaccines at a Wisconsin hospital that lead to an ex pharmacist being detained, this lead to a spark within the Pro-Vax Side conspiracy over anti-vaxxer politics. (Full Disclosure I am a Pro-Vaxxer and I sided with Richard Pan over Vaccine Laws SB276 and SB277 here in California). On our side we had tweets from scientists and physicians fighting to stop the pandemic with vaccine research having fears that the rogue person in question was an alleged anti-vaxxer hijacking the health care system for political reasons to prove that the COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna and Pfizer is unsafe. As of this posting lets just hope nobody in Wisconsin died from the tainted vaccines.
However this is not the first time that anti-vaxxers came into the health care system because of political reasons such as "Medical Freedom" reasons. Two recent cases of anti-vaxxers abusing their powers within their medical license are Dr. Paul Thomas has his medical license suspended for failing to issue a tetanus vaccine to a patient. In that case the patient had to be in the hospital for 57 days. Dr Paul Thomas reason to not issue a vaccine is due to his role in snake oil supplements. In another case Dr. Bob Sears was suspended for issuing vaccine exemptions for inappropriate reasons. Some of his reasons were political in connection to California's vaccine records laws SB276 and SB277.
The Roots of why the general pubic would fall for anti-vax leaders have some of its origins in the Andrew Wakefield Movie Vaxxed in 2016 and in 2019. The Movie sowed the seeds of doubt with pandemic preparedness and vaccine research by using correlation and not having the data to put into context the causes of the effectiveness of vaccines. Also they used patient testimony without further follow up studies to back or disprove the hypothesis statements of the participants. These framing of the story can lead to doubts in funding pandemic research going forward. Also in the long term the trust that is left over between the public and their health care goes out the window because of the pushing of biased agenda to go against vaccines. In addition to the number of lives lost in the process.
https://twitter.com/PeterHotez/status/1344627286952259584
https://twitter.com/DrPanMD/status/1345137287957368832
The Solution to fight the anti-vaxxers is going to be a long term solution in a two pronged approach. One is effective science communication to the public in this particular pandemic and explain nuances in the field. This will inspire more people to become scientists. Another approach is to run for office or vote for people like Richard Pan who will actually hold the anti-vaxxer accountable with medical board audits and enforcement plus funding for vaccine research on the federal levels. This will not give short term effects but these actions will pay off in the long run to sow the seeds of pandemic prevention in the public.
Update as of January 4th 2020 Scripps news is reporting that the person of interest in the Tainted vaccines scandal is an alleged conspiracy theorist.
Brandenburg told investigators that he believed the vaccine was not safe for people and would "harm them and change their DNA," the probable cause said. Brandenburg, according to the Grafton Police Department, is an "admitted conspiracy theorist."
Brandenburg was arrested on Dec. 31 on charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety, adulterating a prescription drug, and criminal damage to property.
57 people did receive the vaccine after it was left out but there is believed to be no health harm, officials with Aurora said.
Gerol said if the vaccines were not actually destroyed then despite the defendant's intent Brandenburg could face a misdemeanor charge instead of a felony.
It is unclear how long the testing could take. The District Attorney said he is working closely with the U.S. Attorney's office which has the same concerns.
The judge ordered Brandenburg's release on a $10,000 signature bond on the condition he surrender any firearms, not work in healthcare, not leave the state of Wisconsin, and have no contact with Aurora or former coworkers.
This is an excerpt from WTMJ-TV.
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