By LINDA BOYLE
On July 15, the US Senate took on one of the most controversial issues of our time — vaccine injuries and the power of Big Pharma. In a hearing titled “Voices of the Vaccine Injured,” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, gave a national platform to families devastated by vaccine injuries, alongside medical experts who question the current system of pharmaceutical immunity.
The hearing exposed heartbreaking personal stories and raised bipartisan concerns about corporate accountability, government oversight, and the unchecked influence of pharmaceutical advertising.
The goal was to magnify the silenced stories of vaccine harm along with a broader debate on vaccine safety, efficacy, and policy. To ensure a balanced presentation, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) provided a counterpoint, focusing on the life-saving benefits of vaccines and sharing accounts of losses from preventable diseases. You can watch the entire meeting here.
“All of the witnesses presented powerful testimony and engaged in respectful discussion. I believe all of these stories needed to be told and listened to. I sincerely hope that the hearing helped to bridge the gap and demonstrate how to heal and unify our horribly divided nation,” said Sen. Johnson.
Five witnesses discussed vaccine injuries, and two witnesses discussed vaccine efficacy. One of the witnesses was one of our speakers from last year’s Alaskans 4 PersonalFreedom conference — Dr. Brian Hooker, chief scientist at the Childrens’ Health Defense. He spoke of his son who developed autism after an MMR vaccine.
Testimonies are available in links below.
- Emily Tarsell, mother of Christina Tarsell, witness’ daughter died following Gardasil vaccination
- Eric Stein, brother of Jessica Stein, witness’ sister died of influenza
- Brian Hooker, PH.D., father of Steven Hooker, witness’ son is vaccine injured with autism
- Robert Sullivan, M.D., anesthesiologist, vaccine injured
- Polly Tommey, mother of Billy Tommey, witness’ son is vaccine injured
- Serese Marotta, mother of Joseph Marotta, witness’ son died following flu illness
- Krystle Cordingley, mother of Corbyn Cordingley, witness’ son died following quadrivalent flu vaccination
- One of the positives that came out of the hearing was a shared belief between Democrats and Republicans that the pharmaceutical industry does not have much oversight. Both sides showed concern for the “immunity from legal responsibility” enjoyed by Big Pharma since 1986.
Johnson brought up one of my pet peeves that the FDA allows pharmaceutical companies to advertise on TV. I can’t watch a show without hearing about some new drug for some disease I should ask my doctor about.
Johnson said a whopping $10 Billion was spent by Big Pharma on consumer advertising in 2024, making up just about 25% of the evening ad minutes.
Wouldn’t it be great if that money instead could be directed to those injured by these new great “wonderful” drugs?
Johnson stated the massive amount of money gained from this advertising allows the industry to “control the narrative and suppress stories of drug and vaccine injuries.”
The panel’s ranking Democrat Sen. Blumenthal agreed with Johnson’s concerns of Big Pharma and stated he’d co-sponsor a bill banning pharmaceutical advertisements on TV.
That would certainly be a step in the right direction. I pray it’s time now. A bipartisan push in the Senate would make a difference.
Committee members also shared an interest in reforming the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This is the program established in 1986 that gave legal immunity to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
The vaccine manufacturer immunity occurred when lawsuits threatened to drive companies out of the market. Since they received immunity and we went to VICP instead, the explosion in childhood vaccine recommended doses went from 7 to 76 today.
Although the government does have the VICP, one witness on the panel stated the program has not provided relief to his family over 16 years to support his son who requires around-the-clock care.
Blumenthal asked if the U.S. government holds the pharmaceutical industry to the same standards as other industries.
“I am extremely suspicious as a lawyer that immunity is granted in any blanket way across the board to any manufacturer,” Blumenthal said.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) “introduced the PREP Repeal Act (H.R. 4388), a landmark piece of legislation that would fully repeal the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, a federal law that grants sweeping legal immunity to pharmaceutical companies for injuries caused by emergency medical countermeasures, including mRNA injections.”
It looks like the Senate (or at least some of the members of this committee) may be looking to write similar legislation.
Sen. Johnson should be applauded for exposing the serious injuries from vaccinations. The testimonies from the family members were hard to listen to without tearing up. Something needs to be done to stop the protection of Big Pharma and its shareholders.
Instead of protecting the industry, we should be protecting our children and ourselves. Remember, the Hippocratic Oath says, “First Do No Harm.” That is the principle that should always be followed, especially for our defenseless children.
Linda Boyle, RN, MSN, DM, was formerly the chief nurse for the 3rd Medical Group, JBER, and was the interim director of the Alaska VA. Most recently, she served as Director for Central Alabama VA Healthcare System. She is the director of the Alaska Covid Alliance/Alaskans 4 Personal Freedom.
Where this really turns dark is the mandating of having to take experimental vaccines. One could have lost their job, been unable to attend school, kicked out of the military, and social condemnation by our media. Pharma is big, powerful, and bankrolls many in elected office. I don’t see this going far.
It’s time to end all of these pharmaceutical commercials off of television! A person has to listen very closely to hear what the drug is actually for. After listening to all of the possible side effects, who would even think about taking it? Besides, you have to get a doctor to prescribe it. Jeez!!! Take all of that money being spent on the commercials and lower the cost of the drugs. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or brain surgeon to figure that out. Hey!! Why don’t they start letting tobacco companies start advertising again?
Magical thinking
I have a male friend who was pressured by his doctor into getting the covid vaccine…it was the two-dose one. He also got three of the boosters. He has had covid six times and he nearly died the third time he got it. He has gone from being a vital, strong man who used to walk five to eight miles in a day, to being unable to walk more than a few steps without getting winded. He has multiple symptoms brought on by that damned vaccine that was obviously not efficacious. I want to see Fauci and all those who forced those damned vaccines on people put in prison for life!!!
And the great thing is none of these people testifying have to present any evidence whatsoever that they were injured at all. This is a meeting full of conspiracy, theorist and crackpots, as is the author of this article.Not one single person at this hearing was “injured” by a vaccine.
The GOP is now the home to anti-science piffle. They’re no better than the Democrats that claim that people can change from a man to a woman and back-and-forth.
You must hate it when everyone just ignores you so I’ll give you a little attention here. Then go back to ignoring you 😂
I have had an amazing up tick in friends and family either died or are badly sick everyone of them vaccinated and regretted it. Same exact group of problems, cancer , lukemia heart attack,blood clots, vertigo and several other issues. I’m not a conspiracy theorist but numbers of people are numbers and this definitely adds up. To many deaths to young.
How does one “prove” to congress that a vaccine would have prevented the illness of those killed by the flu. The flu vaccine has a horrible track record. There is frankly more cause and effect evidence for those who have side effects from the shots.
Or even more laughable (if one could laugh at such things) those who claim that their covid symptoms were somehow alleviated by the shots they took, even though they still fell seriously ill.
Yes, advertising should stop! We are the only or one of only two countries that allow this advertising! Bug pharmacies big donations so we shall see! What I hate more is that many doctors listen to big pharmacy on how to treat something instead of investigating what might help.
Senator Johnson is remarkable for a politician. Much appreciation is herby expressed. It would be refreshing if we ever had a politician from Alaska with a moral standard or physical backbone anywhere near Johnson’s.
The vaccine injuries and premature deaths that our family is observing within extended family and neighbors is massive. All manner of rare and otherwise exotic conditions or remarkably rapid deterioration, including cancers and cardiovascular illnesses are manifesting themselves.
The rate of funerals caused by non accidental deaths is quantitatively accelerated.
The other concern is the apparent presence of mutated versions of the original lab manipulated Corona variant released from at least one lab that initiated the pandemic. How these variants evolve and the societal damage they cause over time is an open question.
We were warned that the premature use of a “vaccine” during a pandemic is disastrous policy.
Not that the various drug concoctions federal subsidies poured into private mega corporations to subsidize patented products ever were “vaccines”, let alone useful for symptom treatments.
If this critical issue is seriously pursued all manner of hell and high-waters will be created. Big Pharma is a major linchpin in our modern corporate socialist economic/political system. They own federal and state agencies and most politicians.
At least the subject has been raised and hopefully will not be buried, as many of our relatives have been, with prejudice.
I really liked this line: …”one of my pet peeves that the FDA allows pharmaceutical companies to advertise on TV.” What a sneaky way for big pharma to get more business–get the customers to ask for it.
I’ve also been noticing that much of the advertized drugs are for some mental conditions..That ONLY a mental Illness doctors should be advertizing, why in H** are they in TV advertizing. Doctors who treat mental patients, should ONLY be the ones prescribing them..No wonder we have so many mental patients running around freely with no one to answer to.
How’s about some class action lawsuits for the pharmacists that refused to fill prescriptions……… Bernie!