Proposed Revisions

Proposed Informed Consent Revisions to VIS For
Aborted Fetal Cell Line Vaccines and Medical Products

(Abbreviated format)

 

Each revised VIS will contain a new Section titled Informed Consent, with the opening paragraphs identical on each statement form as shown below. The next paragraph would give the proper information pertinent to that vaccine. The Manufacturer name of the product(s) using aborted fetal cell lines is shown in parenthesis.

– Begin New Section On Informed Consent –

 Is there anything else I should know?

Informed Consent Doctrine requires that health care professionals provide patients with all relevant information about a proposed procedure including: the nature of the procedure, the risks, the benefits and the availability of alternative treatment, (including no treatment) and the risks and benefits thereof.

 

Informed consent protects the patient by providing him/her with complete information on which to make an informed decision.

 

For Chickenpox/Varicella (Varivax, ProQuad or MMR-V)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that the chickenpox vaccine is propagated on cell lines obtained from two electively aborted fetuses. The vaccine contains residual DNA, cell components and proteins from the aborted fetal cell line.

 

There is no alternative for the chickenpox vaccine anywhere in the world at this time. See Section 1 for more information on the disease.

 

For Rheumatoid Arthritis (Enbrel/Entanercept)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that Enbrel was developed using cell lines obtained from an electively aborted fetus.  There are alternatives for treating Rheumatoid Arthritis. You may wish to ask your doctor for more information on these alternatives.

 

For Hepatitis-A (Havriz, Vaqta, Twinrix)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that the hepatitis A vaccine is propagated on cell lines obtained from an electively aborted fetus. The vaccine contains residual DNA, cell components and proteins from the aborted fetal cell line.

 

There is no alternative for the hepatitis A vaccine in the United States at this time. As noted in Section 2, Immune Globulin (IG) may be given to provide temporary protection for up to 6 months. See Section 1 for more information on the disease.

 

For Influenza (Vaccines Currently Under development)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that some influenza vaccines are propagated on cell lines obtained from electively aborted fetuses. Those vaccines contain residual DNA, cell components and proteins from the aborted fetal cell line.

 

There are also other versions of influenza vaccines available in the US using non-human cell lines.  You may wish to ask your doctor for more information on these alternatives.

 

For MMR/Rubella (MMR II, Meruvax, MR-Vax, Biavax)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that the rubella component of the MMR vaccine is propagated on cell lines obtained from an electively aborted fetus. The virus used in the vaccine was also obtained from an electively aborted fetus. Those vaccines contain residual DNA, cell components and proteins from the aborted fetal cell line.

 

There are alternatives for measles (Attenuvax)  and mumps (Mumpsvax) available in separate shots, which are propagated on chick embryo and are equally safe and effective as the combined MMR vaccine. However, there is no alternative for the rubella vaccine in the United States at this time. See Section 1 for more information on rubella.

 

For Polio (Poliovax, Pentacel)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that some polio vaccines are propagated on cell lines obtained from electively aborted fetuses. Those vaccines contain residual DNA, cell components and proteins from the aborted fetal cell line.

 

There are also other versions of polio vaccines available in the US using non-human cell lines.  You may wish to ask your doctor for more information on these alternatives.

 

For Rabies (Imovax)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that some rabies vaccines are propagated on cell lines obtained from electively aborted fetuses. Those vaccines contain residual DNA, cell components and proteins from the aborted fetal cell line.

 

There are also other versions of rabies vaccines available in the US using non-human cell lines.  You may wish to ask your doctor for more information on these alternatives.

 

For Shingles (Zostavax)

 

Because some patients may have religious or moral concerns about abortion, you are entitled to know that the shingles vaccine is propagated on cell lines obtained from two electively aborted fetuses. The vaccine contains residual DNA, cell components and proteins from the aborted fetal cell line.

 

There is no alternative for the shingles vaccine anywhere in the world at this time. See Section 1 for more information on the disease.