Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is added to vaccines as a tissue fixative, and as a preservative. Formaldehyde is oxidized in the human body to become formic acid. Formic acid is the main ingredient of bee and ant venom. Concentrated, it is corrosive and an irritant. While absorbing the oxygen of the body, it may lead to acidosis, nerve, liver and kidney damage. According to the National Research Council, between 10 – 20% of the general population may be susceptible to extreme formaldehyde toxicity, and may violently react to exposure at any level. Formaldehyde is ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds on ecosystems and human health, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. These findings are merely for environmental exposure, and therefore, the dangers are much greater with the formaldehyde included in vaccines, since it is injected directly into the blood.

The CDC admits, in regards to environmental formaldehyde exposure, that age is a critical factor: “Formaldehyde exposure is a special concern for children and the elderly. Children may become sensitive to formaldehyde more easily, which may make it more likely they will become sick.” [bold added][1]

It is important to know what impact formaldehyde can have since Formaldehyde or Formalin are excipients used in the manufacture of the following vaccines: [3]

Anthrax (BioThrax)
DTaP (all brands)
DTaP-Hep B-PPV (Pediarix)
DTaP-Hib (TriHIBit)
DT (all brands)
Td (all brands)
Hepatitis A (Havrix, Vaqta)
Hepatitis A-Hepatitis B (Twinrix)
Hib (ActHIB)
Hib-Hepatitis B (Comvax)
Influenza (Fluzone, Fluarix, FluLaval)
Japanese encephalitis (JE-Vax)
Polio-virus inactivated (Ipol)
Tdap (Adacel, Boostrix)

The known effects of environmental formaldehyde exposure are:

Eye, nasal, throat and pulmonary irritation
Acute sense of smell due to altered tissue proteins
Anaemia
Antibodies formation
Apathy
Blindness
Blood in urine
Blurred vision
Body aches
Bronchial spasms
Bronchitis
Burns nasal and throat
Cardiac impairment
Palpitations and arrhythmias
Central nervous system depression
Changes in higher cognitive functions
Chemical sensitivity
Chest pains and tightness
Chronic vaginitis
Colds
Coma
Conjunctivitis
Constipation
Convulsions
Corneal erosion
Cough
Death
Destruction of red blood cells
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Difficulty concentrating
Disorientation
Dizziness
Ear aches
Eczema
Emotional upsets
Ethmoid polyps
Fatigue
Fecula bleeding
Foetal asphyxiation
Flu-like or “common cold” illness
Frequent urination with pain
Gastritis
Astrointestinal inflammation
Headaches
Haemolytic anaemia
Haemolytic haematuria
Hoarseness
Hyperactive airway disease
Hyperactivity
Hypomenstrual syndrome
Immune system sensitizer
Impaired (short) attention span
Impaired capacity to attain attention
Inability or difficulty swallowing
Inability to recall words and names
Inconsistent I.Q. profiles
Inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs
Intestinal pain
Intrinsic asthma
Irritability
Jaundice
Joint pain
Aches and swelling
Kidney pain
Laryngeal spasm
Loss of memory
Loss of sense of smell
Loss of taste
Malaise
Menstrual and testicular pain
Menstrual irregularities
Metallic taste
Muscle spasms and cramps
Nasal congestions
Crusting and mucosa inflammation
Nausea
Nosebleeds
Numbness and tingling of the forearms and finger tips
Pale clammy skin
Partial laryngeal paralysis
Pneumonia
Post nasal drip
Pulmonary oedema
Reduced body temperature
Retarded speech pattern
Ringing or tingling in the ear
Schizophrenic-type symptoms
Sensitivity to sound
Shock
Short term memory loss
Shortness of breath
Skin lesions
Sneezing
Sore throat
Spacey feeling
Speaking difficulty
Sterility
Swollen glands
Tearing
Thirst
Tracheitis
Tracheobronchitis
Vertigo
Vomiting blood
Vomiting
Wheezing

CDC shares information about formaldehyde in the vaccines recommended for infants and assures us that: “while chemicals are added to vaccines to inactivate a virus or bacteria and stabilize the vaccine, helping to preserve the vaccine and prevent it from losing its potency over time, the amount of chemical additives found in vaccines is very small.”[2]

Additionally, there has been a lot of discussion regarding thimerosal, a form of mercury which is a highly dangerous neurotoxin, in vaccines. The CDC assures us that “pediatric vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market are available in formulations that contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts.”[2]

I have two problems with this, firstly a trace amount of a known highly toxic neurotoxin is too much to inject into anyone. Secondly, if it’s not ok to inject babies in the USA with thimerosal, it’s not ok to inject babies in any other country with it either.

CDC is aware that formaldehyde is a dangerous environmental toxin and has a fact sheet, “What you Should Know About Formaldehyde“:

“Some people are more sensitive than others, so an exposure that causes no problems for some people can make other people sick or uncomfortable.”

“In general −

• If you are more sensitive to formaldehyde and are exposed to more of it for a longer time, you are more likely to have symptoms.
• If you are exposed to less formaldehyde for a shorter time, you are less likely to have symptoms, especially if you are not sensitive to formaldehyde.

“Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer. The cancer of greatest concern is cancer of the nose and throat. Scientific research has not yet shown that a certain level of formaldehyde exposure causes cancer. However, the higher the level and the longer the exposure, the greater the chance of getting cancer. Exposure to formaldehyde might increase the chance of getting cancer even at levels too low to cause symptoms.” [bold added][1]

From the CDCs Ingredients of Vaccines Fact Sheet:

“Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines, (these are vaccines that use an inactive bacterial toxin to produce immunity.) It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the vaccine during production. Most formaldehyde is removed from the vaccine before it is packaged.”[2]

I don’t know about you, but if I knew a glass had been rinsed with formaldehyde, but MOST of it had been removed, I don’t think I would be drinking out of that glass. In the same way I couldn’t inject my child with something knowing that “most” of the formaldehyde has been removed.

Additionally, the CDC admits in the Ingredients of Vaccines Fact Sheet: 1) some people should not receive vaccines; 2) parents should request the vaccine package insert and study the list of ingredients and the known adverse reactions; and 3) Health problems after vaccination should be reported. 

“What You Can Do

• To find out what chemical additives are in specific vaccines, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a copy of the vaccine package insert, which lists all ingredients in the vaccine and discusses any known adverse reactions.
• To ensure the safety of vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other Federal agencies routinely monitor and conduct research to examine any new evidence that would suggest possible problems with the safety of vaccines. To keep abreast of the latest information, continue to reference these materials.
• To report a health problem that followed vaccination you or your provider should call the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967.” [2]

It is common sense that a known extremely toxic ingredient – in ANY amount – could indeed cause serious problems. Considering the long list of health impacts that formaldehyde is known to have, and the number of vaccines which are known to contain it, and the fact that there has never been any study on what the combined impact of ALL those vaccines might be on infants, it is only sensible to say “no thanks.”

Common sense isn’t always that common – especially for those who have been confined to a laboratory or focussing on their profit & loss statements. Parents know better. Parents know how to protect their babies.

Take your time. Do the research necessary for you to make a confident decision in what is best for the health of your baby. 

Becky Hastings, a wife, mom, grandmother, passionate follower of Jesus, health promoter, breastfeeding counsellor helping moms for 22+ years, and someone who seeks to research, understand and share truth so people can make wise choices in our crazy mixed up, deceived world!

 References:

1. CDC Environmental Health & ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry) http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/docs/whatyoushouldknowaboutformaldehyde.pdf

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ingredients of Vaccines – Fact Sheet, http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm

3. CDC – Pinkbook: Index – Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html

4. Vactruth.com Formaldehyde in Vaccines, http://vactruth.com/2012/02/07/formaldehyde-vaccines-dna-adduct/

What is your “short” answer if someone asks why you don’t give your kids (or yourself) vaccines?

That is a great question I was recently asked on a Facebook Vaccine Discussion Group. I had so many thoughts, I couldn’t just give a short answer!  I decided I need to devote a whole blog to it!

Firstly, it is generally accepted and understood that the person asking the questions holds the power in any conversation. Being aware of this, it would be a good idea to be pre-armed with a few questions of your own!

So, pick a short answer of your choice, then follow it up with a relevant question. Both the answer and the question should be tailored to your particular audience and the situation.

If you are asked in a one on one conversation it can be quite different from being asked in the midst of a large group. Some groups and audiences are antagonistic, so keep in mind the most appropriate way to respond might need some THINKING IN ADVANCE!

There are many assumptions made by those who are asking the question — some they make about you personally, and some they make about the whole vaccine debate. Since you probably aren’t fully aware of ALL the assumptions they are making, asking them questions will help you (and them) to clarify their thinking on the subject, allowing you to be more specific in further points you may want to bring up.

It is important in this discussion for you not to become defensive or irritated. This is also very difficult — especially when you have spent sooooo many hours of research and feel sooooo passionately! It helps me to try to visualize a 5-year-old learning a new subject. They can’t help that they are ignorant, they may have limited ability to master the subject because of a basic lack of maturity and experience, but with patience, kindness, and respect they might be able to make some progress!

It is also important to consider the level of the relationship you have with this person, their role and influence in your life, and the future role they may have in your child’s life. While we can show respect to these people, that does not mean we need to bend to their wishes — no matter what type of pressure they may try to put on us!

With many of these things in mind, here are some of my basic short answers:

• I don’t accept vaccinations because I respect our natural immune system designed by my Creator more than any human efforts to bypass the immune system devised by individuals and companies for financial gain.
• I don’t vaccinate because I believe the benefits of vaccines have been completely misrepresented and a close look at history shows vaccines did not have the positive impact many believe.
• I don’t vaccinate because I feel the risks of any of the diseases for which they want to give me a toxic chemical cocktail injection, when treated naturally, are not nearly as much of a risk as the vaccine.
• I don’t vaccinate because I believe the best gift I can give anyone that I come into contact with (including the immuno-compromised) is a robust naturally developed immune system — which also keeps me and my children healthy.
• I don’t vaccinate because my research has helped me understand that vaccines have probably played a massive role in the exploding epidemics of auto-immune illness, arthritis, developmental delay, ASD, ADHD, ADD, juvenile diabetes, Crohn’s Disease, MS, cancer, ALS, etc. I’d rather fight the original illness than deal with a lifelong chronic debilitating illness.
• I don’t vaccinate because I believe the entire foundation of the early virologists lacked an understanding of the complexity of the natural immune system which exists predominantly in the gut. The gut is critical to health and is designed to handle foreign invaders, but injections bypass this well-organized system. Quantum levels of  information has been discovered in the last 10 years about the gut and the immune system — far more than was known at the time vaccines were developed.
• I don’t vaccinate because most cases of the disease are actually occurring among the vaccinated, so the vaccines aren’t even protecting those who get them from the illness they are hoping to avoid.
• I don’t vaccinate because vaccines can interfere with bodily function far beyond the generally accepted medical explanation. Vaccine reactions are not always readily apparent, but injecting small babies with such toxic ingredients ALWAYS causes a negative impact on the body and it is not worth the risk for me.
• I don’t vaccinate because I know of real life tragedies of parents who thought they were doing the BEST thing for their baby and their baby died within 2 days of receiving the 2 month recommended vaccines.
• I don’t vaccinate because I know of FAR TOO MANY real life stories of families dealing EVERY SINGLE day with horrific vaccine injuries that cause debilitating brain damage (aka autism) to their child. It is not a risk I want to take.
• If I am feeling particularly snarky, I would look at my beautiful precious baby and say, I don’t vaccinate, because why would I want to inject this precious beautiful treasure full of toxic chemicals? It’s just not common sense.

Some questions which should follow your short preferred statement:

• What do you know about the ingredients in vaccines?
• What is the impact on a baby’s body of all the combined injections at one time (no one knows the answer to this — except those parents who have carefully observed and documented it, because there have been no scientific studies on the combined recommended vaccines)?
• Which disease worries you most, and why?
• What do you know about chronic, debilitating auto-immune disorders?
• What role does nutrition play in infectious diseases like measles? (Vitamin A pretty much mitigates measles deaths and measles deaths are greatly exaggerated.)
• What do you think is the reason behind giving Hepatitis B to infants when it is generally accepted that only IV drug users and prostitutes are at risk for this illness?
• What do you know about the payouts made for vaccine damage since the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was started in 1988?

Notice that most of the questions begin with what. Try to think of questions that require more of an answer than yes or no.

Again, allow them to THINK. That, in a nutshell, is really the purpose of your answer/question combination. Say something brief, thoughtful and respectful, then ask a probing question. Allow them to think. Don’t think that you will change their mind in one encounter. In most cases, they have been indoctrinated their whole life to believe that vaccines are good!

If your conversation is with a medical person, realize that the entire foundation of their life and livelihood is dependent on them maintaining their good opinion of vaccines. However, by your respectful question it COULD be a beginning to an awakening!

If you are new to the subject and feel absolutely convinced in your heart that vaccines are not good for you or your children, yet feel fearful of the opinion of others — especially of those in your life who are highly educated — don’t think you need to even try to convince them. Make your point respectfully, and if they keep badgering you, take the high road and respectfully say you hear what they say, but you are convinced and you would rather they stop trying to impose their thoughts or opinions on you. You are happy with your choice and if you want to continue the relationship, they need to respect your choice.

I also suggest a polite decline to all medical personnel rather than a detailed explanation of exactly what you have learned about vaccines. They are not likely to learn anything from you, and by engaging in a conversation with them, you are opening yourself up to the pressure they have been trained to put on you.

Rather keep it short, “No thanks, we won’t be getting shots today,” like a broken record, repeated every time they offer a vaccine or another reason you should accept one.

This is not a complete, exhaustive list, but I hope it gives you some confidence in communicating WHY you don’t vaccinate – AND I also hope you feel empowered to help someone else begin to explore this EXTREMELY VITAL topic.

I seriously believe this is the number one issue parents today face. If you want your child to be healthy for their entire life, educating and navigating the vaccine debate is the most important thing you can do. I want the truth to be told so that we can have more healthy children. We can do it together, one piece of information at a time.

I’d love to know your ideas of what to say, or other questions to ask. Please add your thoughts to the comments below!

30 ways in 30 Days, Exploring Vaccines: Day 29

• Day 28: A Mother’s Anguish
• Day 27: NO ADVICE Please
• Day 26: Essential Questions 
• Day 25: Truth Warriors
• Day 24: Healthy Toddlers DON’T JUST DEVELOP AUTISM
• Day 23: Navigating the Information
• Day 22: How Many More Must Die?
• Day 21: Where are the WARNINGS?
• Day 20: What about School?
• Day 19: Can babies die from a vaccine?
• Day 18: What do I say to my doctor?
• Day 17: Healthy Babies Don’t Just Die part 2
• Day 16: Sincere, but Sincerely WRONG
• Day 15: Thinking About Babies?
• Day 14: Is our Hope in Congress?
• Day 13: Worse than death?
• Day 12: Healthy Babies Don’t Just Die
• Day 11: Flu Shots in Pregnancy?
• Day 10: In a Nutshell
• Day 9: Tetanus Links
• Day 8: Number of Vaccines
• Day 7: Calling All Christians
• Day 6: Choosing Wisely
• Day 5: Our Microbiome
• Day 4: Voices of Reason
• Day 3: It’s not just Autism
• Day 2: Can good people confidently give bad advice?
• Day 1: Who do you trust?

for expectant parents to ask

(or young healthy potentially fertile people)

You’re smart.

I’m not telling you what to do.

You’ll figure it out.

With all the excitement in preparing for a new baby, there are also some CRITICAL QUESTIONS every pregnant couple will be very glad they took some time to explore:

What is the blood-brain-barrier and when is it fully developed? (This is a big topic and there is some disagreement on the details.)

How does an infant develop the ability to mount an immune response?[1]

What is the mucosal immune system and what is the difference between the infant’s immune response to viruses and bacteria encountered through the mucosal immune system versus these same organisms when they are injected?

When will the umbilical cord be clamped and cut? [EXTREMELY Important! If you ask no other questions, please research this one.][1]

What do I know about the shots they will suggest for my newborn and why?

• Vitamin K (What is the difference between the Vitamin K injection and oral Vitamin K drops? Are either necessary in every case?)
• Hep B

What is the ointment they want to put in my baby’s eyes – and why?

What do I know about the shots they want to give my very young baby (in USA recommended at 2 months):

• DTaP
• Hep B
• HIB
• PCV13
• RV (oral)

What shots was I given as a baby/child? What is the difference between the shots they are giving to babies today?

What reasons might there be for delaying or not giving some of the shots?

What research has been done to determine if there is a link between the current vaccine schedule and long term chronic health challenges?

How can I help my child avoid auto-immune disorders like asthma, food allergies, diabetes, autism, learning disabilities, childhood cancers?

Have the vaccines recommended been tested for carcinogenic properties, i.e. have they been tested to see if they cause an increase in childhood cancer?

Have the vaccines recommended been tested for future impact on my child’s reproductive ability?

If I am told I need the RhoGam injection in pregnancy or afterwards, because I have Rh negative factor, what does that mean?

I salute you for reading this far.

Don’t just go along.

Get answers from someone other than the person with the needle.

[1] Dr Suzanne Humphries Six part video series (approximately 15 min each) on Neonatal Immunity: The First Three Years. This video presentation is on par with a college level course in understanding and promoting infant health. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

30 ways in 30 Days, Exploring Vaccines: Day 26

• Day 25: Truth Warriors
• Day 24: Healthy Toddlers DON’T JUST DEVELOP AUTISM
• Day 23: Navigating the Information
• Day 22: How Many More Must Die?
• Day 21: Where are the WARNINGS?
• Day 20: What about School?
• Day 19: Can babies die from a vaccine?
• Day 18: What do I say to my doctor?
• Day 17: Healthy Babies Don’t Just Die part 2
• Day 16: Sincere, but Sincerely WRONG
• Day 15: Thinking About Babies?
• Day 14: Is our Hope in Congress?
• Day 13: Worse than death?
• Day 12: Healthy Babies Don’t Just Die
• Day 11: Flu Shots in Pregnancy?
• Day 10: In a Nutshell
• Day 9: Tetanus Links
• Day 8: Number of Vaccines
• Day 7: Calling All Christians
• Day 6: Choosing Wisely
• Day 5: Our Microbiome
• Day 4: Voices of Reason
• Day 3: It’s not just Autism
• Day 2: Can good people confidently give bad advice?
• Day 1: Who do you trust?