UK: FURY AT VACCINE SCANDAL

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...accine-scandal

UK: FURY AT VACCINE SCANDAL


Sunday January 10,2010


By Lucy Johnston
HUNDREDS of public sector workers who claim their lives have been wrecked by
vaccines say the Government has abandoned them.

Up to 200 doctors, nurses, firefighters, prison officers, police officers,
forensic scientists and binmen say they have developed serious physical and
mental health problems after injections essential for their work over the
past 10 years. All have given up their jobs and some are now 60 per cent
disabled.

Last night it emerged they are to miss out on payouts, prompting furor among
campaigners. More than 150 MPs have lent their support to demands for a
better deal for the victims.

Olivia Price, of the Vaccine Victim Support Group, said: "These people have
given their lives in the service of looking after others and this is how
they're repaid. They've lost their careers and are a burden to their
families. It is very degrading."

Frontline health workers, social workers, prison officers and binmen have to
be vaccinated against hepatitis B as a condition of their employment.

This is to protect them from contracting potentially fatal conditions from
infected blood through needle injuries or physical assaults.

Although they are not legally forced to have the vaccinations, without them
they are not allowed to work.

Experts believe the injections caused the health problems, which include
chronic fatigue, muscle pain, weakness and cognitive problems, because
illnesses developed soon after vaccination. In one case Steve Robinson, a
previously fit 43-year-old father of three, was vaccinated six years ago
against hepatitis A, B and polio, tetanus and diphtheria as part of his work
as a forensic specialist.

Two days later he became ill and developed muscle weakness and chronic
fatigue. Mr Robinson, from Morpeth, Northumberland, is now 60 per cent
disabled, which an industrial injuries tribunal put down to the
vaccinations.

He has also been diagnosed with macrophagic myofascitis, a disabling
condition which may be caused by the aluminum in vaccines. He also suffers
from problems that cause him to fall with no warning. He said: "Before I had
the vaccinations I was very healthy, a keen mountain biker and enjoyed
walking and keeping fit.

"Now I have very poor mobility and walk with sticks, I am constantly tired."
In up to 10 of the 200 cases, Government officials have already ruled, on
the balance of probabilities, that the vaccines caused the damage.

Campaigners say these victims should be entitled to payouts of up to
£120,000 through the Government's Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, like other
people who have suffered side effects, but the hepatitis B vaccine is
excluded so they get nothing.

Payouts are restricted to the industrial injuries scheme but this is a long
and difficult process and, according to campaigners, results in "paltry"
sums. So far, fewer than 10 have successfully claimed this money. Ian
Stewart, Labour MP for Eccles, has tabled an Early Day Motion on the scandal
which has been backed by more than 150 MPs of all political parties.

He said: "These casualties are completely innocent. Their lives, and those
of their families, have been sadly diminished through no fault of their own.

"The difficult truth is that what we have in the UK is not fit for purpose."

A spokesman for the Payment Scheme, said: "Adults who suffer adverse
reactions to vaccines given as a requirement of their employment can claim
compensation through Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or private
schemes through their terms of employment."