Decisions declared by the CDC regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and a few children’s vaccines have led to a great deal of confusion. First, it’s important to understand how any medication including vaccines obtain approval.
Process
Pharmaceutical companies of various sizes develop ingenious medications that have clearly improved lives. For instance, the life expectancy in 1900 was 47 years old, while today it has reached 78 years old. Much of that expanse in living longer is related to miracle antibiotics, cancer therapies and many other lifesaving pharmaceuticals. However, any medication or vaccine carries potential side effects. The risk of treatment with the medication verses the harm MUST be explored before administration.
It generally takes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 10 to 15 years to approve a vaccine via the following steps:
- Research and discovery of a new concept.
- Proof of concept: How does it work on small animals?
- Testing the vaccine: Monitored in 4 phases from a few people to >3,000 over time.
- The manufacturing process: Do the batches or lots match?
- Approving the vaccine: Is it safe and effective?
- Recommending the vaccine for use: Approval to use it with wide populations.
- Monitoring safety after approval: Does it remain safe over the long-term?
Informed Consent
Typically, the healthcare provider discusses the benefits verses the side effects or potential harms before prescribing any medication. The patient determines whether he or she will take it.
VAERS
Vaccine harms should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting system (VAERS).
However, a study done from 2006 to 2009 estimated that only 1% of all significant harmful side effects from vaccines were reported to the FDA. The system is challenging and time consuming for busy healthcare providers or confused patients to complete.
The Issue
Autism is a neurodegenerative problem that runs the spectrum of an inability to use the toilet, speak or walk to high functioning individuals who lack empathy. In 1995 it was estimated that 1 in 500 children had the disorder. In 2000 it was 1 in 150 and in 2022 1 in 31. Current estimates may be much higher. What is causing this dramatic increase in cases? It’s imperative to ask!
One theory is that chemicals in the food supply may be the culprit but more troubling may be one of the childhood vaccines. The Johns Hopkins Institute for Vaccine Safety provided a list of or potential substances that may be added to a vaccine although NOT recommended (aluminum, mercury, thimerosal, acetone, alcohol, castor oil, glycerin, etc.)
New Vaccine Updates
Questions are now being raised looking for a connection. To that end the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recently recommended that some of the vaccines normally given to very small children be separated (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella or chicken pox). Is there a problem with something in one of them or all of them? Answers will come when examining the outcomes individually.
Implications for Parents
Parents are encouraged to remain vigilant as more changes may be coming. Undoubtably, more frequent injections will cause trauma to children. However, the answers may guide healthcare providers into safer vaccines which may ultimately reduce autism rates.
On A Personal Note:
All three of our children grew up through the 80’s and 90’s and were vaccinated. Until the COVID-19 pandemic I never thought anything about any of the CDC vaccine recommendations. I trusted them completely. However, when highly regarded physician scientists began raising legitimate questions only to be demonized as kooks and crazies, alarm bells went off in my head.
When I conducted my dissertation research I had to cross every T and dot every I (Does Knowledge of Coronary Artery Calcium Affect Cardiovascular Risk Perception, Likelihood of Taking Action, and Health-Promoting Behavior Change?)
Informed consent was drilled into my head and carefully obtained from each participant. It was strongly evidenced-based, new information and ultimately published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nurses.
Truthfully, I’ve been shocked and extremely disappointed in how much the principles of good scientific investigation have been missing these past 5 years. Regarding the medical community and those healthcare providers that got it wrong, let’s pray that lessons have been learned.
Change is always uncomfortable, but answers are needed. Remember if you hear of governmental CDC and FDA firings, ask yourself these questions. Were they political? Were they because committee members had financial relationships with the very drug companies whose products they were charged to approve? Did they endorse shoddy scientific methodology? We may not know the answers to these questions.
Keep informed as best you can as vital accurate unbiased research is conducted. Pray for our medical leaders to ask difficult challenging questions and seek answers to the maladies plaguing us today and for goodness’ sake KEEP POLITICS AND GREED OUT OF ALL OF IT!
The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps (Proverbs 14:15).
References:
- Arias & J. Xu, “National Vital Statistics Report,” CDC (November 17, 2020).
https://nchstats.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/United-States-Life-Tables-2018.pdf
“Life Expectancy Mortality Tables,” CDC (June 5, 2025). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm
“How Vaccines are Developed & Approved for Use,” CDC (August 10, 2024). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/how-developed-approved.html
“About the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS),” CDC (August 7, 2024). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety-systems/vaers/index.html
- Lazurus & M. Klompas, “Electronic Support for Public Health Adverse Event Reporting System,” Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (December 1 2007, September 30, 2010). https://digital.ahrq.gov/ahrq-funded-projects/electronic-support-public-health-vaccine-adverse-event-reporting-system
“Autism Through the Years: How Understanding has Evolved Over Two Decades,” Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (May 2025). https://autismcenter.org/autism-through-the-years
“Excipients in Vaccines Not Routinely Recommended,” John Hopkins Institute for Vaccine Safety (March 14, 2025). https://www.vaccinesafety.edu/excipients-in-vaccines-not-routine/
- Moniuszko, “CDC’s Vaccine Advisory Panel with New Members Picked by RFK Jr. Votes on Measles Shot,” Healthwatch (September 18, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/cdc-vaccine-advisory-committee-rfk-jr-vote-measles-hepatitis-b/
Johnson et al. “Does Knowledge of Coronary Artery Calcium Affect Cardiovascular Risk Perception, Likelihood of Taking Action, and Health-Promoting Behavior Change?” Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (January 2014).
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare
Author of Wake UP Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke (2015) and Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022).
You may visit my website for additional information: jenniejohnsonrn.com
All rights reserved 2025, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD
Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at: ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.
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