Lancet: Dozens of nations inflated vaccine numbers

[Guest guest]

" That's how you get money, " said Ken Hill, a

public health professor at Harvard University who

was not linked to the study. " You exaggerate the

number of people who die or who you save to get

visibility. Somehow, numbers always end up bigger

than they would be otherwise. "

" Experts said the study raised questions about

the credibility of other health data from the United Nations and countries. "

What have I said all along - you cannot believe

their disease numbers and their death from those

disease numbers at all.......................

Can't even believe flu death numbers in US - how

on earth could you believe their numbers from

countries with poor diagnosis and record keeping

Sheri

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Lancet: Dozens of nations inflated vaccine numbers

AP Medical Writer Cheng, Ap Medical Writer – Thu Dec 11, 7:01 pm ET

LONDON – Dozens of developing countries

exaggerated figures on how many children were

vaccinated against deadly diseases, which allowed

them to get more money from U.N.-sponsored programs, a new study said Friday.

Research in the medical journal, The Lancet, said

only half as many children were vaccinated than

was claimed by countries taking part in special

programs meant to reach kids in poor nations. The

findings raise serious issues about vaccination

programs ­ and whether money earmarked for

children is actually reaching their intended recipients.

" With the unprecedented billions given by the

international community, there is no excuse for

these poor coverage rates, " said Philip s,

of the International Policy Network, a

London-based think-tank. " One has to wonder where

the money has gone ­ hopefully not into Swiss bank accounts. "

American researchers analyzed records of children

supposedly vaccinated by initiatives led by the

United Nations and related groups like the Global

Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, or GAVI.

The scientists examined reports the countries

gave to the United Nations on how many children

were immunized. They then compared those figures

to independent surveys on vaccination conducted

by non-governmental groups and other outside researchers.

The report did not focus on the tens of millions

of children immunized globally each year.

Instead, the researchers studied programs meant

to increase the availability of vaccinations in

poorer countries ­ vaccinations designed to reach

kids who would not be covered otherwise.

From 1986 to 2006, the United Nations reported

that 14 million children received immunizations

in the programs. But the reports from the

independent surveys put that number at just over 7 million.

" The magnitude of the gap is surprising, " said

Murray, director of the Institute for

Health Metrics at the University of Washington and the study's lead author.

Murray and colleagues found about half of 51

countries taking part in the U.N.-backed programs

over-reported how many children were protected

against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

Experts suggest that inflating the numbers is

part of a larger problem in attracting limited resources.

" That's how you get money, " said Ken Hill, a

public health professor at Harvard University who

was not linked to the study. " You exaggerate the

number of people who die or who you save to get

visibility. Somehow, numbers always end up bigger

than they would be otherwise. "

The global alliance pays developing countries $20

per extra vaccinated child ­ a payment that

relies exclusively on reports from the countries.

Murray and colleagues estimated that the alliance

should have paid countries $150 million. Instead, it paid them $290 million.

Some countries, including Liberia, Pakistan and

Zambia, reported vaccination numbers more than

four times higher than surveys showed.

Experts said the study raised questions about the

credibility of other health data from the United Nations and countries.

n Lob-Levyt, the chief executive officer of

the global vaccines alliance, said it would hold

off on all payments until affected countries can

clarify what is happening in their programs.

He also stressed that there was no evidence of

corruption in any of the countries that had received money from the alliance.

Some experts worry that the Lancet study, which

was paid for by the Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation, overstated the problem and that

immunization programs would be unfairly overhauled.

The United Nations has been criticized for its

fluctuating figures in the past. In 2007, it

dramatically slashed its HIV figures, citing new surveillance methods.

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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

Vaccines -

http://www.wellwithin1.com/vaccine.htm Vaccine

Dangers & Childhood Disease & Homeopathy Email classes start in December 2008