A July 17 article picked up by AP is touting Sanofi Pasteur’s new Pentacel vaccine as a vaccine that will reduce the number of shots children receive. In fact, this is not true for most children who are already being vaccinated with Glaxo SmithKline’s Pediarix, another 5-in-1 vaccine that has been widely used in the US for over 5 years.
The difference between the two is that Pentacel includes DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), polio and HiB. Pediarix includes DTaP, polio and hepatitis-B. Either shot would require an additional 3 injections of either Hepatitis-B or HiB. And while Pentacel is given in 4 doses; Pediarix requires only 3 doses. Pentacel also requires reconstitution from 2 separate vials prior to administration, while Pediarix comes ready to be used, making it less cumbersome and safer to use. Either vaccine can be given from 6wks of age to 18 mos.
But perhaps the greatest disparity between the two vaccines is that Pentacel uses aborted fetal cell line MRC-5 in its polio version, while Pediarix uses Vero cell lines, making it the vaccine of choice for prolife families and physicians.
Sanofi chose to market their aborted fetal version in the US after Canadian Physicians for Life successfully lobbied Health Canada for access to the ethically produced version in 2006 and stopped using Pentacel.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and the FDA withdrew the Sanofi “tainted” version of polio (Poliovax) from distribution in the US in early 2000. The only separate dose of the polio vaccine given in the US uses Vero cell lines – not aborted fetal cell lines. Clearly, the only reason for the ACIP recommendation of Pentacel appears to be a financial plug for Pentacel’s lagging sales. Concerned parents and physicians beware: Pediarix is the ethical version – and it does mean less shots for children.
Here is a list of all aborted fetal cell line vaccines and alternatives.
Elisha, I have yet to research a psychotropic drug that was developed using fetal cell lines or fetal tissue of…
Dorothy, Actonel/risedronate sodium was not developed or tested, nor is it manufactured using aborted fetal cell lines or tissues of…
Hi, I appreciate your research and response. In your research do all psychotropic medications have fetal cells or MRC-5 fetal…
Vorrei sapere se gli anticorpi monoclonali per curare l'emicrania sono etici. Grazie.
Is risedronate sodium or actonel tested or derived from aborted fetal cells.
Andrew, the Tdap shots are ethically developed, tested and produced. There's a note at the bottom of the chart informing…
Anyone know about ethics and safety of Tdap for older kids and adults? I did not see it on the…
Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate your help and all the great work you do. God bless you all,…
Andrea, Paxlovid does not contain fetal cells. Aborted fetal cell lines were used in preclinical testing and were an essential…
I have Covid and my doctor has prescribed Paxlovid. I read that the development was compromised, but does the actual…
Chris, I sent a link to your email. You should have it shortly.
The link has disappeared. Where can I find the new updated ethical flu shot list for 2023-2024? Thank you.
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This is a reasonable rule of thumb, but there are exceptions. The poliomyelitis and rubella vaccines are examples of exceptions.…
Yvie, there is no comprehensive list, and this is due to the sheer number of approved drugs that are available.…