“Once vaccines could cause damage, now they are absolutely safe”. A phrase that could be a point of mediation between those who are convinced that vaccines hide risks for the little ones and those who instead argue, with data in hand, that medicine can now save many human lives, many fragile subjects. And that it becomes a duty and an assumption of responsibility to vaccinate one's children.
Not only is he firmly convinced of this as a doctor, but Professor Roberto Burioni, a 56-year-old Pesaro, virologist, immunologist and teacher, who was awarded the gold medal for public health merit, has become the main bearer of this message throughout Italy, interviewed at the Pesaro Unity Day by Simonetta Marfoglia, head of the Pesaro editorial staff of the Corriere Adriatico.
Paradoxically, Burioni dedicates his research work to alternative drugs to vaccines, that is, to those drugs that are applied when vaccines don't work. "One could shout - as he himself admits - a conflict of interest". But he is also the author of the book "The vaccine is not an opinion" which resolves the doubt.
How to tell if the vaccine is safe
“Science – Burioni repeats endlessly – tells us that vaccines are safe and reliable and that they protect children and society as a whole from dangerous diseases“. Once, in truth, in one case out of 600,000 it risked even causing paralysis. It could do damage. But decades ago. Now no longer. “Now – Professor Burioni loudly claims – it is safer than the normal drugs that we use without any problems. To understand if they cause allergies, autism, etc. studies and statistics are carried out. Well, scientific statistics tell us that the incidence of autism is the same that we find in unvaccinated subjects. So whoever says it creates autism is like saying that the sun revolves around the earth. A doctor who questions herd immunity is like a pilot who doesn't believe in gravity. It should be disbarred." Professor Burioni's favorite slogan is "Science is not democratic", that is, "it is not decided by a show of hands". We can discuss, but through facts, not through opinions”.
The dissent of the No Vax
At the considerations on autism, the "No vax" present in the audience got up with a loud noise and left, controlled by a large police cordon. Uniformed and plainclothes officers monitored the entire meeting, videotaping the audience throughout, even after the dissidents had left. A void immediately filled by Burioni with a stab aimed at No Vax and borrowed from a famous and distant song: "The truth hurts you, I know". And addressing the protesters of vaccines by law, he adds: “With this gesture you have demonstrated the need for a rule. In other countries there is no obligation because 98 percent of the population is vaccinated spontaneously. For civic sense. To protect others as well."
But are there still risks?
“The only risk – explains the virologist – is anaphylactic shock, that is a violent reaction of the immune system. And this is why it seems important to stay in the clinic for about half an hour after vaccination, so that the doctor can intervene and quickly resolve the reaction. But we are talking about one case in several million ”. When to vaccinate? “Between the second and thirteenth month. Vaccinations should not be delayed".
Do vaccines contain heavy metals and too many antigens?
“They contain aluminum, which is important in effectively eliciting the immune response. But let's not forget that it is the most present element on the planet. For the rest I hear only lies. The vaccination schedule is identical worldwide. Vaccines contain 260 antigens. Think that a child stung by a mosquito is exposed to ten thousand antigens. They are laughable compared to the work that our immune system is called upon to do in other circumstances "
Is vaccine coverage eternal?
"Depends. There are vaccines that last forever, like the measles vaccine, unless there is a deficiency in the immune system. Others, like whooping cough, don't. In these cases it is important to make a recall. I did it. It's important for adults too. For example, a pregnancy with measles is dangerous”
Too many vaccines required by law?
For Burioni, on the other hand, they are few. “I would have added four more: two against type C meningitis, one against pneumococcus and another against papilloma, which is a vaccine against cancer for the first time. Moreover, of absolute certainty that is causing the collapse of pre-cancerous lesions and tumor lesions ".
Vaccines, 1.4 percent of pharmaceutical turnover
“One euro spent on a vaccine saves twenty. And to those who argue that the interest of pharmaceutical companies is behind the vaccines, I reply with data: the turnover of vaccines amounts to 318 million euros, that of drugs against HIV amounts to 800 million, that for anti-ulcer at one billion a year. Vaccines represent only 1.4 percent of the entire pharmaceutical turnover. I can't think of a worldwide conspiracy."
A paradox of the law
By law, self-certification is mandatory from 0 to 16 years of age and those who do not submit it will see the child's enrollment in nursery school or nursery school rejected, while those who do not present the self-certification at compulsory schooling can still enroll their child paying a fine. A double track that sounds like a contradiction to the purpose of the law… “Vaccinating is an act of social responsibility – explains Burioni who confesses his opposition to these legal distinctions – In my opinion it is wrong to overcome civic duty with a payment. Still, it's still better than not having a law. Think, for example, of a school where perhaps there is an immunosuppressed child. If everyone else is vaccinated, they protect him. And I believe that the state has a duty to defend the weakest. I believe that a law is due where the vaccination rate has fallen below the minimum safety limit, established at 95 percent ”.
Pesaro is below the safety threshold
“It's true – admits Burioni – there is very low coverage in Pesaro. It's a problem. There is a risk of epidemics. There is probably a need for more communication. But only those who have a role or are competent should be given a voice, otherwise dangerous lies are fed. Freedom of opinion cannot be invoked. It is not freedom to endanger public health”
Burioni in Politics? I do not know
This final question could not be missing. The future of the Pesaro virologist in Parliament for the Democratic Party? “I don't know – he confesses – I don't know”. The bells of the Cathedral give him breathing space and time to weigh his words: “I would be false if I said that the appreciation of so many people gave me great pleasure. And also Renzi's political stance when he reiterated that he is for science and not for superstitions. I was very happy. But I don't know if I would have the characteristics and the quability to do politics. Maybe I'm already doing it a bit by talking to people. I can't say yes or no. We'll talk about it when the time comes."
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