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

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081212/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_un_vaccination_numbers

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.

--------------------------------------------------------

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