Voices for Vaccines is reporting on a disagreement regarding the cause of death for two individuals linked to a measles outbreak in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It said the county coroner maintains that while the individuals had measles, it was not the cause of their deaths, a stance disputed by state health officials. The organization highlighted the case of a newborn who died from a ruptured spleen after contracting measles before birth. Voices for Vaccines noted that measles can weaken the spleen, potentially contributing to such a rupture. Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, the Lancaster County coroner, is an elected official with a background in family medicine, not specialized death investigation. He relayed findings from a forensic pathologist. Dr. Paul Offit explained that a ruptured spleen is very rare in newborns and suggested more evidence is needed to conclude that measles played no role in the baby's death, considering the virus's potential impact on the spleen.
Voices for Vaccines is also addressing claims that the COVID vaccine caused the death of singer Dolly Parton. It said Parton died at age 80 from cancer, and there is no scientific evidence linking COVID vaccines to her cancer or to a phenomenon known as "turbo cancer." The organization emphasized that older age is the primary risk factor for cancer, and substances known to cause cancer typically require years to do so, making claims of rapid-onset cancer from vaccines unlikely.
Additionally, Voices for Vaccines is refuting claims made by Peter McCullough regarding shingles vaccines and heart disease risk. It said McCullough incorrectly asserts that shingles vaccines do not reduce heart disease risk, misinterpreting a study's limitations as evidence of its findings being false. The organization clarified that a study comparing Shingrix to an older shingles vaccine in more than 72,000 older adults found a link between Shingrix and fewer diagnoses of heart disease and heart failure. While the study, based on medical records, cannot definitively prove Shingrix prevents heart disease, it provides useful evidence of a possible benefit. Voices for Vaccines also noted that McCullough wrongly equates the short-term immune response from a vaccine with the long-lasting inflammation associated with heart disease. It added that shingles itself can cause inflammation and is linked to heart attacks and strokes, suggesting that preventing shingles may help protect the heart.