Vaccine always harms some

Brain damage has always struck a few unfortunate children after vaccination. Scientists have come to expect neurological problems in vaccinated youngsters since the time of the first smallpox shot, Dr. James Cherry told the Ontario Supreme Court yesterday.

Colin and Donna Rothwell of Burlington are suing the Ontario government, two Burlington doctors and Connaught Laboratories Ltd. Connaught makes DPT-P vaccine, given to most Canadian babies for protection against pertussis (whooping cough), diptheria, polio and tetanus.

The Rothwells contend that their son Patrick, who turns 9 next month, became blind and mentally disabled as a result of the vaccine. They say they were not adequately informed of possible dangers from the shot.

Cherry conducted a 1977-79 study on 6,000 immunized children. He found that reactions such as fever, vomiting, convulsions and severe crying are greater in youngsters vaccinated against whooping cough.

Though their suit is the first of its kind in Canada, the Rothwells head a group of 100 parents of children allegedly disabled by DPT-P, 30 of whom are waiting to pursue similar court action.

In earlier testimony, a Baltimore, Md., geneticist, Dr. Mark Geier told the court that Connaught and other firms have not marketed the safer serum because it is costlier to produce and would cut into profits.
Dr. Geier criticized the screening and storage process for pertussis vaccine in Ontario.