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.
Finally, you can
show your support by e-mailing Alan Yurko (freeyurko@bizland.com)
or Francine Yurko (FRANSWRLD@aol.com)
directly.
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Above:
September 1997, Francine Yurko with Baby Alan
Left:
September 1997, Alan Yurko with Baby Alan in intensive
care unit
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