Routine vaccinations and child survival: follow up study in Guinea-Bissau, West AfricaCommentary: an unexpected finding that needs confirmation or rejection

Editor

Drs Mulholland and Barreto's comments are reassuring inasmuch as the
authors' work was reviewed and found to be accurate and valid.

I'm not sure what to make of the way the 'WHO reviewing team' appear
to readily dispose of the drastic news about DTP and polio vaccines whilst
referring to results from BCG and measles 'good news'. I would have
preferred to see a more balanced reference DTP and polio results as 'bad
news'; their apparently qualifying ramble about 'high mortality' and '25-
30% deaths before 5 yrs old through possibly malaria or pneumonia' seemed
out of place in reference to DTP and polio results - was this expected to
somehow modify the DTP/polio results?

How about something like..

..."measles and BCG appear to improve survival beyond what can be
attributed to the prevention of those specifying diseases, this is good
news"

..."DTP and polio appear to reduce survival beyond what can be
attributed to the effects of those specifying diseases is bad news, this
is bad news"

I'm astounded at the media hush surrounding bad news that appears
consistent with many parents' fears about DTP, and polio vaccines,
especially in relation to SIDs and SBS, let alone epilepsy, asthma and
other serious known ADRs.

Regards

John H.