By Dr. Joseph Mercola, with Rachael Droege

Alan Ream Yurko, or Baby Alan as he is now known, died at only 10 weeks of age in November 1997 -- a tragedy in itself -- but the family’s misfortune was further compounded when the infant’s father, Alan R. Yurko, was accused, and later convicted, of shaking the child to death.

Now, a massive campaign has begun, fueled by over 100 doctors, scientists, professors, authors and professionals, along with 57 international organizations and Yurko’s own wife, Francine, to prove that Baby Alan did not die at the hands of his father but rather as the result of vaccine-induced encephalitis.

Prenatal Problems

The twists in the case are many. Baby Alan had health problems from the start, perhaps even prenatally. He was born on September 16, 1997, five weeks premature, by induced labor because his mother, Francine, suffered from oligohydramnios, or too little amniotic fluid, a condition associated with poor fetal growth and an increased risk of complications during labor and delivery.

Francine also suffered from numerous other illnesses during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, anemia, loss of appetite, spastic colon, urinary tract and vaginal bacterial infections, and hemorrhoids. Moreover, she suffered from colon problems and had been advised not to become pregnant, due to potential complications that could arise during pregnancy.

During her entire pregnancy, she reportedly gained only two pounds, and at birth, Baby Alan was sent immediately to intensive care where he spent his first week of life suffering from Respiratory Distress Syndrome, jaundice, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and bacterial infections. The baby continued to have breathing problems and jaundice after his release from the hospital.

Baby Alan’s Reaction to Vaccinations

At approximately eight weeks of age, despite the fact that preterm babies commonly have serious adverse reactions to vaccinations, Baby Alan was given the DTaP, Hib, OPV and Hepatitis B vaccines, simultaneously.

Within 24 hours, he developed diarrhea, irritability and fever and, 10 or 11 days later, he developed a high-pitched cry and his skin became warm to the touch. As the mother was told that these symptoms could result from the vaccinations, she did not seek medical attention for the baby. Thirteen days after vaccination, Baby Alan had a cardiac arrest and apnea episode and was taken, by Yurko, to the emergency room.

After about three days in the hospital, Baby Alan died, with the apparent cause of death listed as bleeding in the brain as a result of vigorous shaking, or shaken baby syndrome (SBS). Yurko was convicted of the crime and sentenced to life, plus 10 years, in prison, but the evidence indicating his innocence continues to mount.

The Real Cause of Baby Alan’s Death

One of the vaccines given to Baby Alan, the DTaP, was from a hot lot, meaning that 10 or more adverse events, two or more seizures or two reports of death were reported from that particular batch of vaccine. Reportedly, this lot of vaccine has seriously injured or killed more infants than any of the other lots reported to the Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System (VAERS), as the lot ranks number one in both deaths and non-recoveries.

Moreover, any one of Francine’s pregnancy complications put Baby Alan in a high-risk category but combined the complications only increased that risk. Preterm infants are supposed to be monitored after receiving vaccinations, but, despite Baby Alan’s high-risk category, and evidence that babies vaccinated at 70 days of age or less, as was baby Alan, tend to have the most serious adverse reactions to vaccines, he was sent home without medical observation.

Yurko’s conviction was determined largely by autopsy findings that included retinal hemorrhages, blood-filled swellings on the brain (subdural hematomas), and four rib calluses that were said to be the result of prior fractures. The injuries were deemed the result of physical abuse, even though Baby Alan showed no signs of trauma except for a minor bruise under the right eye.

Many, including pathologists and specialists, have since come forward criticizing the autopsy findings and saying that the conditions reported could be, and commonly are, due to any number of other causes.

A Growing Problem

The case points to a widespread issue -- one of growing importance -- as more and more infant deaths are being labeled as SBS before the real causes of death, possibly adverse reactions to vaccines, are sought out. Americans are being wrongly accused while the real culprits, plausibly vaccinations, are still being administered freely.

The lack of responsibility, shown by the neglected acknowledgement by a large portion of the health care community of the potentially deadly effects of vaccines, raises serious issue as to the integrity of medicine today.

Show Your Support

For further information, you can read a detailed account of the Yurko case, "Analysis of Causes That Led to Baby Alan Ream Yurko’s Cardiac Arrest and Death in November of 1997." To support the Yurko case, the family has set up a Web site, Free Alan Yurko, where you can make donations and read further information about both the Yurko case and the dangers of vaccines.

On this site, we offer a comprehensive overview of the vaccine issue in a 90-minute audio tape, "The Danger of Vaccines, and How You Can Legally Avoid Them." This recording of a teleconference featuring nationally renowned vaccine expert, Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, will give you an understanding of the issues surrounding vaccines and provide you with ways to legally avoid them.

Finally, you can show your support by e-mailing Alan Yurko (freeyurko@bizland.com) or Francine Yurko (FRANSWRLD@aol.com) directly.

Above: September 1997, Francine Yurko with Baby Alan Left: September 1997, Alan Yurko with Baby Alan in intensive care unit