Nearly Hundred Shanxi Children Die or Are Gravely Ill, Cause Might Be Vaccines

This is fast becoming another Sanlu scandal.

Wang Mingliang Outside Shanxi Children's Hospital, where his baby son once received medical care
Liu Yi's grandfather
2 year old Yan Yan

Source: 近百孩子不明病因致死致残, www.jjxww.com

In Shanxi, "undetermined" causes led to death, disability, or serious sickness among nearly one hundred children. Grief-stricken parents desperately sought medical attention for their sons or daughters, whose illnesses quickly became heavy burdens to the families. "Why did my kid get infected with meningococcal meningitis when he already received the vaccine?" "Was not my child's acute disseminated encephalomyelitis caused by vaccination?" So far, all signs point to vaccines as the reason behind these tragedies, when, ironically, vaccines are intended to protect people's lives from sicknesses.

Investigative Report 1: Nearly One Hundred Children Dead or Handicapped

"Bye bye, my baby!"

31 year old farmer Wang Mingliang (王明亮) from Liu County Shanxi (山西省柳林县) look one last look at his 9 month old infant son before dragging his drenched body away from Beijing Xiangshan Botanical Garden. Around 3 A.M. on August 22, 2008, despite of six months of medical care, his son died in the Being Guest House for Patients Seeking Treatment. Wang Mingliang took the body to nearby Xiangshan Botanic Garden. He left a letter that asked passer-bys to help arrange for the baby's funeral and took his crying wife back to Shanxi home village.

Four children dead from unknown causes

The baby whose name is Wang Xiaoer (王小儿) was Wang Mingliang's only son. On November 24, 2007, an ecstatic Wang Mingliang welcomed the extension of his lifeblood. The newborn received BCG and Hepatitis B vaccine shots on the same day of his birth. Wang's wife underwent C-section as well as sterilization.

A month after the baby was born, Doctor Yang Guilan (杨桂兰) from local village clinic came to administer the second shot of Hepatitis B vaccine. A week later, "the baby began convulsing frequently, but we thought he was just cold." A month later, "on the third evening of Chinese New Year, he started vomiting. His eyeballs were turned up. Both face and body turned a bluish color." The infant was taken to People's Hospital at Lyu Liang City (吕梁市人民医院) on February 10, 2008. According hospital medical records, he had "slow, weak breathing; face gray; frequent convulsions accompanied by twitching facial muscles..." The hospital issued the Notice of Critically Ill. Because the doctors could not control the convulsions, and the child continuously struggled to breathe, the Deputy Director of Pediatrics Gao Lanfang (高兰芳) transferred Wang Xiaoer to Shanxi Children's Hospital.

Diagnosis: aspiration pneumonia accompanied by toxic encephalopathy

Wang Xiaoer was in Shanxi Children's Hospital for 36 days. The doctors were clueless: they had done everything in their power but still could not find the cause. chief physician Han Hong (韩红) in the Neurology Department together with a nurse took the baby to Beijing University First Hospital, which was China's most authoritative medical establishment in neurology. Six days after their arrival, chief doctor Xiong Hui (熊晖) met with Wang Mingliang: "We cannot identify the cause either. We don't know what else to do. You should go home." The discharge diagnosis stated: epilepsy, frequent movement-induced seizures, prolonged continuous seizures, genetic metabolic diseases?

"Western medicine doesn't work. Why not try Chinese medicine?" A relative recommended Niu Zhigang (牛志刚) in Beijing Xiangshan Hospital, but a bed spot in the hospital building could not be arranged. In the end, Wang Mingliang took his son back to Shanxi and settled for long-distance medical treatment. Unfortunately, on August 15, 2008, the baby's condition worsened. Wang Mingliang and his wife traveled with Wang Xiaoer to Beijing Xiangshan Hospital, which became the last stop that the infant was to make in his short life.

In Shanxi, the reporter found three other similar cases. Their experiences were eerily similar "vaccination--seizures, fever, etc--medical treatment--inability to diagnose--death." They are: 8-month-old Liu Ziyang (刘紫阳) in Shan village, Changzi County (长子县南陈乡善村), diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura; Wang Shichao (王仕超) from Pingding County, Yangquan City (阳泉市平定县县城南苑人家9号楼二单元); and Liu Yi (刘一) from Poli village, Yangquan City (阳泉市郊区义井镇泊里村). In particular, the last two children were three and half years old when they died, though the time of death was separated by one year. Before their deaths, the two boys were bitten by dogs and had to receive rabies vaccines. In each case, they exhibited symptoms of fever, seizures, and vomiting after the fourth shot. The diagnoses given by the hospitals were "viral encephalitis."

A partial list of patients (these people all used pseudonyms):

Yanyan, female, 2 year old, living in Gujiawan Village, under Nanhebao Town, Tianzhen County of Datong City (大同市天镇县南河堡乡顾家湾村). Medical condition: vegetative state

Qiangqiang, male, 8 year old, living in Long Village, under Long Town, Jiaokou County of Lyu Liang City (吕梁市交口县回龙乡回龙村). Condition: sporadic seizures

Junjun, male, 5 year old, living in Liulin County (柳林县县城). Condition: brain atrophy

Chenchen, male, 4 year old, living in Taiyuan City (太原市寇庄西路). Condition: epilepsy

Lili, female, 10 year old, living in Dongwenzhuang Village, under Dongwenzhuang Town, Taiyuan City (太原市小店区西温庄乡东温庄村). Condition: difficulty speaking, strange movements, hands, feet, and head often unconsciously twitching

Niuniu, female, 3 year old, living in Dashannan Village, Huguan County (壶关县龙泉镇大山南村). Condition: uncontrollable limbs, motor difficulties

Huihui, female, 12 year old, living in Donggou Village, Yechuan Town of Gaoping City (山西省高平市野川镇东沟村蒲沟). Condition: purpura, chronic nephritis

Jin Zhongyi, male, 17 year old, living in Dichi village, Sanjia Town of Gaoping City (高平市三甲镇底池村). Condition: headaches, sensitivity to strong smells

Lingling, female, 16 year old, living in Wanan County, Linfen City (临汾市洪洞县万安镇). Condition: epilepsy

Haohao, male, 8 year old, living in Yuanqu County, Yuncheng City (运城市垣曲县广场路7号). Condition: epilepsy

Ruirui, female, 2 year old, living in Jiezhou Town, Yuncheng City (运城市盐湖区解州镇). Condition: paralysis


Investigative Report 2: Cause

After Wang Xiaoer died, father Wang Mingliang tried to single out the reason through process of elimination.

Wang Xiaoer received treatment from local medical institutions as well as hospitals in Tianyuan and Beijing. Numerous tests found no brain problems or genetic conditions that could have led to the death. "My child was perfectly healthy in the first two months." "The convulsions started one week after he was vaccinated. None of the hospitals could figure out the reason. Western and Chinese medicines all failed to save him." Naturally, Wang directed his suspicions toward the Hepatitis B vaccine shots.

Wang Xiaoer's primary doctor Niu Zhigang at Beijing Xiangshan Hospital said during a February 2, 2010 interview: "Potential causes are many. Vaccination is one of them."

Questions from more families

In Shanxi, parents of other sick or dead children likewise are searching for answers.

• Question 1: "Why did my kid get infected with meningococcal meningitis when he was already vaccinated?"

Several children interviewed by the reporter, from 8 year olds Qiangqianng and Haohao, to 17 year old Jin Zhongyi, all contracted meningitis in spite of previous vaccinations.

Qiangqiang's father Gao Changhong (高长宏) was angry: "We let our kids get the meningitis vaccination so that they wouldn't be sick. In the end, they still came down with meningitis. This is preposterous!"

• Question 2: "Why can't acute disseminated encephalomyelitis be caused by vaccination?"

2 year old Ruirui and 13 year old Lingling displayed adverse reactions soon after vaccination. The two girls were diagnosed with "acute disseminated encephalomyelitis." Even today, they are still suffering from the after effects.

Their respective parents Zhang Haixia (张海霞) and Yi Wenlong (易文龙) believe that since ADEM has been known to occur following vaccination and their children contracted the illness right after the shots, a cause-and-effect relationship is not impossible. They applied for the children to be examined for abnormal reactions due to vaccination.

A Shanxi health group responsible for making such determinations concluded that neither case was due to vaccination.

However, Yuncheng City's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted relevant investigations into Ruirui's case. On February 24, 2008, an expert panel got together and came to the conclusion: "Vaccination is a possible cause."

• Question 3: "Did Vaccine shots have nothing to do with Henoch-Schonlein purpura?"

Seven month old Liu Ziyang received vaccine for Hepatitis B on January 19, 2007. On March 1, pediatricians diagnosed him with Henoch-Schonlein purpura. His father Liu Yunbin (刘云斌) suspected the vaccine shot.

3 year old Niuniu received Hepatitis B vaccine on August 8, 2008. On September 22, 2008, she was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, allergic purpura, and encephalitis. Specific cause could not be determined. Her father Jia Haibo (贾海波) suspected the vaccine shot.

12 year old Huihui received the MMR vaccine on May 14, 2006. 15 days later, she was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Her father Wei Huimin (韦惠民) suspected the vaccine.

• Question 4: "All symptoms are consistent with documented abnormal reactions. Why can't they be related to the vaccines?"

4 year old Chenchen received the DPT vaccine. She was diagnosed with West Syndrome. Her mom Tian Xia (田霞) suspects the vaccine shot.

5 year old Junjun received the DPT vaccine. She was diagnosed with brain atrophy. Medical experts cannot determine the cause. Her father Li Changqin (李常勤) suspects the vaccine shot.

10 year old Lili received flu and meningitis vaccines. Now she cannot speak clearly, often makes strange movements, and her hands, feet, head unconsciously twitch. Her dad Gao Jing (高径) suspects the vaccine shots.

2 year old Yanyan received Hepatitis B. She was later diagnosed with viral encephalitis. Her grandmother Zhang Jianyun (张建云) suspects the vaccine shots.

Seeking Expert Opinions

Father of village girl Lili repeatedly visited Shanxi Ministry of Health. On November 7, 2008, a session attended by 7 medical experts convened to discuss case. Among the group was Zhao Zaoyun (赵早鱼), Shanxi's leading expert in the field and Director of Neurology Department at Shanxi Children's Hospital. Their conclusion was: unrelated to vaccination.

On December 28, 2009, Lili and her father took all medical records to Zhao Zaoyu. This time, the reporter also went along. Zhao and other doctors could not make a diagnosis.

Soon after, they visited Doctor Li Chaoyang (李朝阳) in the same department. After careful examination, Li told the reporter that he knew exactly what was going on, but he cannot say anything, nor does he dare to say anything. In fact, nowhere in Shanxi will they receive an honest answer. They might get truthful response if they go to a big hospital in Beijing.

Consequently, the reporter visited Beijing University First Hospital, Beijing Children's Hospital and interviewed many neurology experts. He obtained no answers.

Court Verdict: "Abnormal reactions due to vaccination"

12 year old Huihui is a victim of the vaccine shots.

On December 10, 2009, Huihui's grandfather Wei Leisheng (韦雷生) accepted an interview in his home. He told the reporter that Huihui was born on April 19, 1998. On May 14, 2006, she was given a MMR shot. On May 26, 2006, family members observed blood in her stool, and her thighs were covered with rashes. Three days later, she was taken to Gaoping City People's Hospital. After June 2, she was transferred to Changzhi City Heping Hospital (长治市和平医院) and later Beijing Children's Hospital. There she was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura that caused nephritis. Her condition worsened despite of treatment. Now she has chronic nephritis (紫癜性慢性肾炎).

Beijing Children's Hospital conducted numerous tests to identify the allergens. But results for allergen detection in food, inhaled substances, and C13 urea breath test all came back negative.

In the end, Wei Leisheng could only think of the vaccines as the cause for allergic purpura. "I will get justice for my granddaughter if even it costs me life!" Wei Leisheng sold off his 50 some pigs to pay for the medical care, and he persistently filed complaints to relevant departments.

On March 28, 2009, Pucheng City's CDC wrote in the diagnostic report: "The close association in time between the administration of MMR and allergic purpura nephritis, as well as existing records documenting the symptoms as abnormal reactions to the vaccine shots, indicate that there is a correlation."

Wei Leisheng sued vaccine manufacturer Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Co. Ltd (北京天坛生物制品股份有限公司) and the branch of Pucheng CDC in charge of immunization. Gaoping City People's Court ruled in Wei's favor. It ordered that Huihui be paid 156,178.52 yuan as compensation.

"Adverse reactions to vaccine shots occur with very low probability"

Director Liang Xiaofeng (梁晓峰) at China's CDC once stated openly: "Adverse reactions to vaccine shots are very rare. According to foreign studies, the probability is 1 in every 2 or 3 million." Furthermore, many of these adverse effects are light. Serious reactions such as the ones described above are even rarer.

Well, then, is this string of death and debilitating illnesses due to vaccine shots or not?

"Vaccines that have passed safety inspections rarely lead to detrimental conditions. However, ever since 2006, Shanxi has encountered many problematic vaccines. These are the ones that were exposed to high temperature [and improper handling]. Such vaccines have been used for a long time in Shanxi, and they are bound to dramatically increase the number of serious side effects," said Chen Taoan (陈涛安), former Disease Information Chief at Shanxi CDC.

Investigative Report 3: Large Quantities of Vaccine Exposed to High Temperatures

Because of their protein content, vaccines are sensitive to light and temperature.

China's regulations

In Vaccine Ordinance, Number 64 stated: "Any CDC, immunization centers, vaccine manufacturers, and vaccine wholesalers who did not store or transport vaccines according to proper procedures will be reprimanded by appropriate supervisory medical departments. The said vaccines must be also destroyed."

Specifically, Standards for Immunization and Vaccination dictated the following for storage and transportation of vaccines:

3. Temperature requirements for storage and transportation of vaccines:

(1) Hepatitis B, BCG, DTP, diphtheria, inactivated JE, group A meningococcal, and group A+C meningococcal vaccines must be stored between 2 to 8 degree Celsius and away from light.

(2) Polio, measles, live attenuated Japanese encephalitis, and rubella vaccines must be stored in dark places between -20 to 8 degree Celsius.

(3) Storage and transportation of other vaccines must follow medical documents and manuals.

4. Use refrigerated vehicles to transport vaccines under mandated temperatures. Places that do not possess refrigerated vehicles should use refrigerated containers.

Any violation of the regulations above will result in low quality vaccines.

Exposure to high temperatures

Chen Taoan (陈涛安), former Disease Information Chief at Shanxi CDC, told the reporter about a 35 year old Shanxi man named Tian Jianguo (田建国). Tian came to Shanxi CDC from Beijing. On December 28, 2005, he was appointed director of the department responsible for distribution of biological products across Shanxi. In other words, from that day on, he was in charge of the distribution and management of vaccines to be used by more than 35 million people.

Shanxi CDC is located in Tianyuan City. It has two compounds, North and South, that are separated by more than 70 meters.

According to Deputy Director of Property Management Wei Junli (卫军利), "In 2006 and 2007, when Tian was in charge of the vaccines, I often saw his employees taking the vaccine out of refrigeration located in the North Compound, and putting them in an unfinished building in the South Compound." "The vaccines are on the floor like small hills, so that the workers can put "To be used only by Shanxi CDC" labels on the them. In the summers, everyone would be dressed in shorts and working in the sweltering heat."

The reporter confirmed the story with many other employees at Shanxi CDC.

According to China's regulations, any staff engaged in the inspection, maintenance, measurement and storage of vaccines should have sufficient level of education. They can only work after completing relevant training and obtaining appropriate certifications. Furthermore, employers must provide regular educational sessions so that employees can learn about drug regulations, professional and technical aspects of their jobs, medical knowledge, and ethics. Profiles must also be established for each employee.

"But Tian Jianguo hired hotel waiters and temporary workers." Liu Meili (pseudonym) at Shanxi CDC recalled.

Truck driver Yuan Jiang (原江) told the reporter, "During those two years, in addition to working in the unfinished building, they used trucks with broken refrigeration to transport vaccines. In the summer, the trucks became ovens."

"The deliberate violation of storage and transportation regulations altered the drug properties, and the vaccines should have been destroyed. Otherwise, it is manslaughter." Chen Taoan said after analyzing the situation.

"However, they were not recalled and destroyed. As late as end of 2008, Shanxi residents were still receiving these vaccines."

Chen Taoan also mentioned: "According to published statistics, annually there are more than 10 million administrations of shots in Shanxi. Those vaccine that were handled improperly, who knew for certain how many residents received the ones that were bad. Especially the kids!"

--Follow-up reports coming later--