Chiron Dumps MeNZB Vaccine Trialled In NZ
Barbara Sumner Burstyn & Ron Law
In a stunning vote of no-confidence in the MeNZB vaccine technology, Chiron (now called Novartis Vaccines) has announced
the launch of clinical trials for a genetically engineered vaccine to fight meningococcal B disease.
In news reports of Chiron's new trials (See… Vaccine for the deadliest strain of meningitis – Daily Mail 7th November 2006), they say, "The development of a trial vaccine is being hailed as a major breakthrough. At present there are vaccines
for [various bacteria], but a vaccine for the B strain of the disease has so far been elusive..."
No mention is made of the controversial experimental MeNZB vaccine trademarked to Chiron and used on over one million
New Zealand children.
Mutation concerns
The Novartis Vaccines news release expresses concern that the meningococcal B bacteria can mutate, leading to the
creation of several sub-strains. "Scientists have now been able to develop a vaccine that is effective against such
mutations. Previously this problem had hindered them starting human trials," the release said.
When the MeNZB vaccine was first introduced Ministry of Health advisor and Chiron researcher Professor Keith Cartwright
expressed concern about strain mutation. At that time the Ministry of Health denied that mutation was a possibility.
The meningococcal disease case fatality rate has increased by 250 percent since the MeNZB vaccine was rolled out
resulting in 13 unexplained deaths.
Click for big version
Chiron Vaccines received well over $NZ100 million from the New Zealand taxpayer to broker, research and rollout the
experimental MeNZB vaccine.
Data from the Ministry of Health reveals the MeNZB vaccine has had no impact on the levels of meningococcal disease in
New Zealand, despite assurances to the contrary. (For evidence of the impact of MeNZB in New Zealand see MeNZB Facts Speak for Themselves – Scoop 1 November 2006)
Figures released last week reveal that Waikato children given the MeNZB vaccine actually have a higher risk of
contracting meningococcal disease than unvaccinated children.
Since January 2005 all five deaths due to meningococcal disease in under twenty year olds have been in children
vaccinated with MeNZB; not one unvaccinated child has died!
Meanwhile, despite the Norwegian government banning the export of over a million doses of their unsafe meningococcal B
vaccine destined for France, 4,000 healthy babies are injected with the equivalent MeNZB toxin in New Zealand every
week!
ENDS