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| 10/14/2009 3:04:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Marilyn Rasmussen flanked by (left-to-right): Dawn Turbyfill, Wayne Cook, Tom McKeon, and Joyce Moss at last week's discussion on food safety at the Graham Self-Reliant Community. |
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Rasmussen addresses concerns on food safety and flu vaccinations
by Bruce Smith
Former State Senator Marilyn Rasmussen spoke before fifty members of the Graham Self-Reliant Community last week to discuss food safety and concerns with swine flu vaccinations that contain a mercury-based preservative called Thermiasol.
"The mercury in Thermiasol doesn't cause autism," Ms. Rasmussen said, "but it can trigger it."
Rasmussen advised all those who desire H1N1 vaccinations for the swine flu virus to insist on Thermiasol-free solutions or to receive immunization via a sniff of the "Flu Mist" vaccination, which does not contain any Thermiasol.
Doses of "Flu Mist" and injectable H1N1 swine flu vaccinations are about to be administered in the next few weeks throughout Pierce County to those who wish to be immunized.
According to Joby Winans, the public information officer for the Pierce County Health Department, Thermiasol is used to stabilize the vaccination solutions. However, Thermiasol-free injectables will be available, she said, and offered to pregnant women and children under three years old.
"If anyone is concerned about the vaccination, they should just ask for a Thermiasol-free shot," said Winans, who added that the federal Center for Disease Control has performed numerous studies on the effects of Thermiasol and has not found any links to autism.
Rasmussen, whose grandson was born with autism after his mother received a flu shot in her third month of pregnancy, doesn't agree with that assessment.
"The rates of autism are going up like crazy," she said, claiming that the rate of autism when her grandson was born was 1-in-300, and is now 1-in-91. However, several generations ago, the rate was 1-in-10,000, Rasmussen said.
Based on her family's experience, the former Senator successfully sponsored legislation mandating mercury-free vaccinations for children under three and pregnant women.
However, Winans said that the Washington State Department of Health has announced a temporary override of that regulation to allow a greater volume of vaccinations into the upcoming autumnal immunization program.
Hence, individuals in these risk categories will need to be vigilant.
As for food, Rasmussen spoke passionately about her efforts during her 23 years in office, most of them as Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to institute regulations to rid the meat and dairy industry of E. coli, a bacteria that is found in the feces of most mammals/. Although generally a helpful element in digestion, certain strains can be extremely harmful or even lethal.
"Know where your meat comes from," Rasmussen implored. "Read the labels. But best of all Ð buy local. It's what's best for our economy and for your health."
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Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, October 16, 2009
Article comment by:
Peggy Wallan
It's THIMEROSAL.
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