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Records show case of dystonia is psychogenic and not related to flu vaccine
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A pinch is all you have to fear from a flu vaccine,
not dystonia (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
In a news release by Jenny McCarthy's anti-vaccine group, Generation Rescue, the group uses the case of Desiree Jennings to highlight the "dangers" of vaccines. Ms. Jennings claims she acquired dystonia from a flu vaccine. The release notes that "the condition dystonia is listed in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) as a possible side effect from vaccines and there are 67 reports of dystonia in the system." This is true. There are 67 cases of dystonia entered in the system. However, there are only 5 related to flu vaccines since 1990. The other 62 are associated with other vaccines.
VAERS is a database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The database is designed to report and track incidents associated with any type of vaccine in the United States.
After previous reports of Desiree Jennings acquiring dystonia from an influenza vaccine she received in August, a search of the VAERS database was done for any cases of dystonia associated with the influenza vaccine. Although there is no identifying information associated with the report, one record fits Ms. Jennings' case. The record, number 359903-1, is of a woman in the 18 to 29 age group (Ms. Jennings is 25). It was filed in October, and it told the story of her symptoms two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine:
Sore throat, nasal congestions, followed by fever, body aches, chills, and headache.10/8/08 Medical records received, Dates of Service 10/2-10/3/09. Diagnosis: Weakness. Pt. experienced sore throat, congestion, body aches, chills, headache, fatigue and fever 3 days after receiving the influenza vaccine. The fatigue continued for almost 2 weeks during which the patient continued to work, but on 9/12/09 she presented to the ED with generalized weakness, lightheadedness and an episode of syncopy that was accompanied by generalized convulsions. Admitted to the hospital from 9/12-9/14/09. CK and LFT's were noted to be significantly elevated. Returned to work on 9/17/09 and continued to experience nausea and syncope with all over trembling and was readmitted to the hospital overnight. On 9/21 her PCP told her she had a positive ANA and lupus. Pt. began experiencing chest pain, for which steroids were prescribed. She saw an Infectious Disease MD on 9/22 and had a lumbar puncture which was normal. Pt. began experiencing difficulty walking, chills, sweats, tremors and vivid dreams with difficulty sleeping. She began having headaches described as a ""cold spot"" on the back of her head, had subsequently developed a stutter, but was able to speak clearly if she whispered. Her symptoms persisted and progressed to erratic movements of the toe, intermittent uncontrolled blinking, difficulty focusing, uncontrolled shaking, cold feet and sharp pains in the legs. Upon this admission the plan was to rule out GBS, MS, malignancy, Lyme and MG. Pt. noted to have dystonia, speech dysfunction, gait dysfunction, anxiety, SOB, photophobia, tinnitus in the left ear, and increase in appetite, a 2 lb. weight loss. It was also noted that the symptoms were worsened by warm water, especially at the knees. The admitting neurologist felt that there was a strong psychogenic component to the symptomology, and made a final diagnosis of weakness. 10/13/09 Medical records received from dates 10/2/09-10/4/09 Presented to for eval of p (REDACTED)"(United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Public Health Service (PHS), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) 1990 - last week, CDC WONDER On-line Database Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/vaers.html on Nov 4, 2009 10:20:23 AM)
Millions of people receive the seasonal influenza vaccine each year, and only 5 cases since 1990 have been reported where this "tragic story" has occurred. The numbers just don't add up.
UPDATE: Ms. Jennings went to see one Dr. Buttar who treated her with "chelation therapy" and has now almost completely recovered. In her own words, on her own video. The same Dr. Rashid Buttar who has been charged with unprofessional conduct before the North Carolina Medical Board. The same Dr. Rashid Buttar who claims there is no such thing as autism.
*CORRECTION: The article mentioned the VAERS record as being for someone in the "18-39" age group. It has been corrected to "18-29".
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