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.