Understanding the Media's Biases in the Vaccine Debate, and General Health Care Coverage
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 06:02PM If you want a sense of the tenor of the debate over mandatory vaccination, and the media biases in health care, take a look at a segment on this morning’s Today Show. (Go to the link, and on the list of stories, click on, “Should HPV vaccines be mandatory?” for the video.)
What I found most interesting was the aggressiveness of Dr. Nancy Snyderman of NBC in arguing for mandatory HPV vaccination in Texas, and elsewhere. She rejects the arguments of Barbara Loe Fisher of the National Vaccine Information Center, who raises serious questions—such as why we have such a high incidence of autism and learning disabilities, why parents shouldn't have a say, and why the HPV vaccination can’t simply be an “opt in” versus an “opt out” matter (as pushed in Texas).
Snyderman, to me, epitomizes the media’s pro Big Pharma and conventional medicine orientation. She talks about “protecting” children, which is the standard regulatory rhetoric in such matter as opposing raw milk, in favor of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), and in favor of mandatory vaccination. She is arrogant in her views and dismissive of any opposition.
Credit goes to Barbara Loe Fisher for holding her ground against Snyderman's onslaught.
Now imagine Dr. Snyderman multiplied by 100 or more, and you have an idea of why the media is as pro-government and pro-Big Pharma as it is, and why it is so difficult to get reasonable examinations of other points of view.
Reader Comments (2)
The Vermont legislature is talking about making this vaccine mandatory. Move over NAIS...
Recent events may lead to that exact conclusion. Snyderman, Chief Medical Editor for NBC is now appearing in numerous roles on NBC Nightly News, and the NBC Today Show, in effect, as a representative of Merck & Co.,Inc., the large pharmaceutical company. Dr. Snyderman is being paid by NBC, in what appears to be a blatent attempt to legitimize and advertise drugs manufactured and distributed exclusively by Merck under guise of news, or important medical information. Recently, on three separate shows produced and aired by NBC, Dr. Nancy Snyderman has suggested that she supports the legislative mandates of states like Texas, to require vaccination against HPV. Obviously to the financial gain of Merck, and NBC as the recipient of advertising dollars. Fortunately the Texas State Legislature has now blocked the governors order in favor of Education, over Legislation!
Several days ago, she again supported the new Chicken Pox vaccine which is manufactured and exclusively sold by Merck. Snyderman then admitted that the vaccine actually gives no assurances against getting the Chicken Pox. This was done in a pseudo / tabloid like interview on the NBC Today Show relative to a story about Chicken Pox parties being hosted throughout the country.
As recently as March 23, 2007, Dr. Snyderman again suggests that drugs like Fosamax are appropriate in the treatment of Elizabeth Edwards cancer. All without the benefit of any examination, or consultation with her doctors. Fosamax is manufactured and sold by who else; Merck!
So, has Dr. Snyderman discredited herself? Is Snyderman guilty of Media Malpractice ? Many seem to think so, and as such, no longer deserves recognition as someone we should trust to provide us with unbiased medical advise! Her advise now appears to be tied to the fortunes of Merck, and NBC. This is truly another tragedy in ever expanding story of corporate greed in America, as we sacrifice our once trusted advisors on the Alter of Profits!
On February 28,2007, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams reported that a study done by the CDC report 25 to 27% of the female population is currently infected with HPV. This is not so!
In fact, there is no study done by the CDC, and apparently they were referring to the data created by and distributed by Merck!
In the interest of full disclosure, Merck is also the manufacturer of the vaccine, and the one and only company who stands to profit from the grossly over stated and misrepresented data, other than NBC as a perpetuator of the intentional misinformation, and a benefactor of the advertising revenue!.
Following is a document distributed by the CDC which will dispel much on the hype, and over statement, and over reaction.
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/hpv.pdf
Some of what is stated therein is;
Communicability "HPV is presumably communicable during the acute infection and during persistent infection. This issue is difficult to study because of the inability to culture the virus." NOTE: "inability to culture the virus."
Laboratory Diagnosis "HPV has not been isolated in culture. Infection is identified by detection of HPV DNA from clinical samples. Assays for HPV detection differ considerably in their sensitivity and type specificity, and detection is also affected by the anatomic region sampled as well as the method of specimen collection."
And finally "The use of HPV vaccine does not eliminate the need for continued Pap test screening, since 30% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV types not included in the vaccine."
Dr. Nancy Snyderman is helping turn The Nightly News into just another Tabloid TV SHOW! News, should be factually reported, and in the opinion of many, without biased or prejudiced interviews from those who stand to profit from the report, that being NBC, and the manufacturer, Merck & Co.!