October 5, 2011: Vaccine Epidemic Book Talk and Discussion

On October 5, 2011, Mary Holland and Kim Mack Rosenberg, co-editor and contributing editor, respectively, of the book Vaccine Epidemic presented a number of key points from the book on law, science and issues in the debate surrounding vaccine choice and led a lively discussion. N. Chin, a parent who attended the Vaccine Epidemic talk, contributed her impressions:

I have continued to seek knowledge about root causes after my son regressed due to vaccines. The book Vaccine Epidemic contains many revelations about how vaccine safety remains a low priority by those who manufacture vaccines and control immunization policy. I welcomed the opportunity to meet with like-minded parents and professionals for a book discussion on Oct 5.

I will focus on the open discussions following the presentations and the goal of knocking down this 'house of cards' as Mary described. She said it has to be through the legal system and as a human rights issue. Others that evening mentioned how results of objective studies will change opinion.

I have to agree with Mary about affecting change through the legal system. Unless these studies receive air time equivalent to what teens see on MTV with HPV/Gardisil ads, or parents see in Parenting magazine, it is indeed extremely difficult to combat long-held beliefs that vaccines are as natural as “mother's milk.” It is clear that Big Pharma can outspend us and squash the most logical and compelling of studies.

We need to help find legal avenues and budget to knock down this house of cards.
One way is to support the Center for Personal Rights. They mentioned organizing with civil rights organizations as well. I plan to see if a couple of my contacts in DC can offer ideas. If we take the time to check our contacts and make some phone calls, we may just get there.

I wish to end on a hopeful note.

In the book, there is a letter by Dr. Francis Moore, who was a very prominent surgeon at Harvard Medical School. If someone as mainstream as Dr. Moore can be convinced of ill-conceived policy, then I remain hopeful that human reason will prevail.

Vaccine Epidemic - The Book: With Louise Kuo Habakus, Mary Holland, and Kim Mack Rosenberg

Confused by Conflicting Information about Vaccine Safety and Efficacy?

Unsure of Your Rights?

Looking For Straight Answers?

Join Editors Louise Kuo Habakus and Mary Holland, and Contributing Editor Kim Mack Rosenberg, for an eye-opening discussion based on their groundbreaking book, Vaccine Epidemic.

This enlightening evening will build the case for vaccination choice as a fundamental human right. Come to learn critical information to help you make an informed decision concerning vaccination. Bring your questions!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

7pm – 9pm

408 East 79^th St. (Screening Room)

New York, New York

(between First and York Avenues)

Vaccine Epidemic - The Book

Rising above the rhetoric, this presentation is neither anti-vaccine nor pro-vaccine. It is pro-vaccine safety and pro-informed consent. The presenters will address the tough questions that parents are asking about vaccination and will discuss vaccine safety and efficacy issues – and share with the audience important and often ignored data on these issues. Next, the presentation will focus on the relevant law and the rights of individuals to refuse vaccination. The presentation will close with a summary of Vaccine Epidemic and a discussion of important topics in this critical and ongoing debate.

Louise Kuo Habakus is the executive director and a co-founder of the Center for Personal Rights. She was a managing director for Putnam Investments, a corporate vice president for Prudential Financial, and a consultant with Bain & Company. Louise graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University, where she also received a graduate degree in international policy studies. In her advocacy work, Louise lectures and writes frequently and has appeared in numerous media outlets, including ABC World News Tonight, Fox & Friends, and the New York Times.

Mary Holland is a research scholar at NYU School of Law. She has written and edited books and articles on human rights and law. Mary has clerked for a federal judge, worked at the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, and at prominent U.S. law firms. She has testified before Congress, filed amicus briefs, and appeared on Court TV, Fox, CBS, and NBC. Mary is a co-founder and board member of the Center for Personal Rights and a founder and the director of of the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law & Advocacy (EBCALA).

Kim Mack Rosenberg is a litigator at a prominent New York law firm, where her practice has focused on, among other things, products liability. Kim also has been honored by the Legal Aid Society of New York for her pro bono work. She graduated from Carleton College and received her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. In addition to being a co-founder and board member of the Center for Personal Rights, Kim is the current president of the National Autism Association New York Metro Chapter and a board member of the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law & Advocacy (EBCALA). She has been featured on Get Connected on 106.7 Lite FM.

"Vaccine Epidemic" Book Launch A Resounding Success

Annemarie Colbin, Kim Mack Rosenberg, and Michael Belkin

Families, advocates, educators, healthcare providers, and friends all gathered in the Tisch Auditorium at NYU School of Law to commemorate the launch of Vaccine Epidemic: How Corporate Greed, Biased Science and Coercive Government Threaten Our Human Rights, Our Health, and Our Children. A seamless program of three panel discussions on advocacy, ethics, and law enraptured the audience. Seldom at one event is one introduced in person to such an array of distinguished authors - eleven authors to be exact. The discussion was emotional, uplifting, there were teary-eyed moments, moments of anguish, but when all was said and done, the message was that of hope.

Mary Holland, Kim Mack Rosenberg, and Louise Habakus moderated the panels in sucession. Panelists included Dr. Andrew Wakefield, Robert Krakow, Gay Tate, Lisa Marks Smith, Michael Belkin, Sherri Tenpenny, Vera Hassner Sharav, and Annemarie Colbin.

We are proud of our own Kim Mack Rosenberg, contributing editor and a chapter author.

The book was released just a week ago, and already it is in its second printing. Listening to the authors, its no surprise.

Sabeeha Rehman