'Should My Patient Get a 7th Covid Shot?'

 Evidence, trust, and clear-thinking are core beliefs here at Sensible Medicine.

What struck me most when I read this essay from electrophysiologist, Dr. Joseph Marine, was his change in attitude regarding the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. There is much to learn from the public health handling of the pandemic. How the current leaders lost the confidence of respected doctors is surely one of the most important lessons for the new health team. JMM

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Joseph Marine, MD

Last week, I saw a 70+ year old patient in the office in follow-up after a catheter ablation procedure. He was doing well and as we were finishing the visit he asked me a question to which I did not know the answer. So I went on Twitter/X and asked a noted expert:

Dr. Hotez did not have time to answer me, so I am going to put the question to the readers of Sensible Medicine.¹ But first, some additional background.

I was first struck by the way the patient asked me. He told me that he followed me on X and was aware of my skeptical views of the covid boosters because of the lack of solid data behind their FDA approval and CDC recommendation.

He made a big point of this, looking me in the eye as he emphasized his need to know my honest opinion. I realized that he was conveying to me (a lowly cardiologist) that he trusted my judgment on this question more than other physicians or the CDC. Because of my skepticism, I had demonstrated to him that I was not delivering propaganda or acting as the agent of another entity; that I was only interested in his welfare. That interaction reaffirmed my thinking about public trust and how important it is that the medical profession remain free of the perception of undue corporate or government influence. Patients will not trust our recommendations otherwise.

I was not always skeptical of the covid vaccine. When the results of the pivotal trials were first published in the NEJM in the late fall of 2020, I was impressed and eager to see them deployed. I promoted them among my colleagues and professional society. When my health system established vaccine clinics for employees, I volunteered for several shifts and vaccinated about 200 of my colleagues – before I was vaccinated myself. I encouraged other doctors to do the same. When the shot became available for children, I (somewhat reluctantly) allowed my teenaged children to get it – in part because I thought it would exempt them from masking and test/trace/quarantine protocols at school (I was wrong about that). The second injection made my youngest son (15 years old at the time) quite ill – he took to bed for 3 days, and I think it was his worst childhood illness.

I started becoming more skeptical in the summer of 2021. Reports of vaccine myocarditis emerged, and the CDC seemed to downplay them, along with other reports of adverse effects. In July 2021 came the reports of covid outbreaks in highly vaccinated populations in Provincetown and San Francisco General Hospital. The CDC responded by telling everyone to mask up again. Despite the widely held perception that vaccines would stop spread of infection and mark return to “normal,” we were now told that they would just mitigate disease severity.

Then in September 2021 came President Biden’s infamous “our patience is wearing thin” speech and the announcement of federal vaccine mandates. This resulted in a sharp backlash and a torrent of anger and discrimination directed at the unvaccinated.

I had previously brought up vaccination with almost every patient in my clinic. After the mandates were announced, the subject became too toxic. I am still imprinted with the memory of one patient exploding in anger when I brought up the subject – I think for the last time. A justifiable skepticism also arose among the public – if the unvaccinated were really a threat to the vaccinated – then what is the point of the vaccine?

With the failure of the covid shots to produce durable sterilizing immunity came discussions among government health officials about more boosters and the idea of an annual booster shot, “like we do for the flu.”

Except that SARS-CoV2 mutates and evolves by a completely different mechanism and there was no evidence-base for the proposal. Nevertheless, the FDA and CDC pushed on with the idea and began approving and recommending boosters on the basis of little or no clinical evidence, antibody responses in a few mice, and the dubious concept of “immunobridging.”

The FDA apparently pushed out two of their top vaccine experts who declined to go along with the plan. I watched several of the FDA and CDC panel discussions for the booster approval/recommendations and was surprised by how lax the process seemed. Very little critical examination of the data, virtually no challenging questions were asked of the study sponsors, and decisions about age cutoffs and risk groups to cover seemed arbitrary and haphazard. It seemed like little more than a pro forma process designed to produce a pre-ordained outcome.

So now I am a covid-vaccine skeptic, and I have no evidence-based answer to give to my patients seeking my advice. I can tell them what the CDC recommends. I can tell them to ask their primary care physician. I can tell them that I am unlikely to ever get another one (I had 3 before getting omicron).

We need the new commissioner of the FDA and the director of the CDC to address this problem. They need to reform the FDA approval and CDC recommendation processes to increase their rigor and evidence requirements, decrease the conflicts of interest, and improve engagement of the public in the process if they want to restore public confidence in their decisions. If they do not, we are likely to see further erosion of confidence, not just in the covid vaccine, but the entire CDC childhood vaccine schedule.

Also, in a few years I am going to have patients who have had 10 covid shots and 5 covid infections asking me if they should get an 11^th shot, and I am still not going to know what to tell them.

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. What should I tell my patient? What do you tell yours?

* Interestingly, 6 covid shots and 3 covid infections is the same tally for Dr. Fauci. I would have asked him, but unfortunately, he is not on Twitter.

https://www.sensible-med.com/p/should-my-patient-get-a-7th-covid

Johnson rejects Biden request for $24 billion on new Ukraine aid

 House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday rejected a White House request to pass $24 billion in additional aid for Ukraine by the end of the year, saying any further assistance for Kyiv would be decided by President-elect Trump when he assumes office in January.

“I’m not planning to do that,” Johnson said in response to a question if he would add aid for Ukraine to a continuing resolution to fund the government.

Johnson, speaking during a House Republican Leaders news conference, said Trump’s election victory is changing the dynamic of Russia’s war on Ukraine and that any additional U.S. assistance for Kyiv should be decided under the next administration. 

“As we predicted and as I said to all of you, weeks before the election, if Donald Trump is elected it will change the dynamic of the Russian war on Ukraine, and we’re seeing that happen,” he said.

“So, it is not the place of Joe Biden to make that decision now, we have a newly elected president and we’re going to wait and take the new commander in chief’s direction on all that so I don’t expect any Ukraine funding to come up now.”

The White House request to Congress would have provided additional aid for Ukraine through 2026, amid expectations that Trump will pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin for an end to the nearly three-year war. 

Biden’s request to Congress reportedly called for $8 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which helps provide military equipment to Ukraine, fund training of its armed forces and advisory efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive position against Russian aggression.

The request also included $16 billion for the Department of Defense to replenish stocks sent to Ukraine, and funds for repair of military equipment in DOD stocks. The funds are also used to reimburse the DOD for military education and training provided to the Ukrainian government or other foreign countries supporting Ukraine.

The Biden administration has about $6 billion in funds left for Ukraine, but is facing challenges in giving the full amount because of dwindling American military stockpiles. 

The administration announced on Monday a military package worth $725 million, to include air defense capabilities, munitions for rocket systems and artillery and anti-tank weapons. 

While a majority of Republicans and Democrats support providing military and economic aid to Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia, Trump and his allies, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, have criticized the amount provided to Ukraine as wasteful and diverting from priorities in the U.S. and to confront China. 

To push back against cutting off U.S. assistance entirely, pro-Ukraine lawmakers are working to pass legislation by the end of the year that gives Congress the power to compel the president to provide future military and economic support.

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5022079-house-speaker-rejects-ukraine-aid/

Lessons From The COVID Fringe

 by QTR's Fringe Finance

I know I’ve spent a lot of time, both leading up to the election and post-election, talking about why the mainstream media is noxious and why independent media exploring “fringe” hypotheses and narratives is just as important to consider as the “official narrative” on any given topic.

Some of you may have already seen the report produced by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic this week, reported on by the New York Post and multiple other outlets. It concludes that COVID-19 most likely originated from a laboratory incident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.

The report also criticizes the implementation of social distancing and mask mandates during the pandemic, asserting that these measures lacked a solid scientific foundation. It also highlights that Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified that social distancing guidelines "sort of just appeared" without substantial scientific backing.

After reading that today, I had a flashback to just how ostracized I was during the lead-up to COVID and during COVID for exploring all sorts of “crazy” theories other than those explicitly blessed by Pfizer. As I wrote in my inaugural blog post here in 2021, even just sounding the alarm on COVID itself—before it became a mainstream media news story—got me labeled as a “conspiracy theorist” and “fearmonger.”

From there, discussions about alternative treatments, the safety of brand-new mRNA vaccines, and the origins of the coronavirus all similarly landed me in the same “misinformation” crosshairs. And think about it: I didn’t even have much of a following at the time, nor was I a prominent source of alternative news. I was just an investor on Twitter, trying to have a discussion about what, precisely, the hell was going on.

It floors me to look at how casually some of the conclusions we now have regarding the virus are discussed. People today go about life as though there were never any COVID restrictions, and findings we now talk about casually—like COVID coming from a lab—could have gotten you kicked off social media, de-banked, or even arrested and thrown in jail just four years ago. That is not hyperbole. That’s a man that watched the forces “in control” arrest a solitary surfer on a paddleboard out in the middle of the ocean for being outside. This was reality four years ago:

Starting with a slight, limited hangout some years back, people today talk about the likelihood that the virus leaked from a lab as though they’re just twiddling their thumbs. That statement would’ve been beyond blasphemous four years ago.

We’ve already seen Chris Cuomo come out and admit that ivermectin was prescribed to him for COVID. That’s another statement that would have been deemed completely blasphemous just four years ago. At least we got redemption by both Rogan and Dave Smith on the ivermectin issue.

Today, people walk around unmasked, not even giving a second thought to the insane rules that were put in place during COVID. When was the last time someone asked you to keep six feet of separation? Four years ago, not doing so was blasphemous.

As I’ve written many times before, these Covid wake-up calls—combined with the Russian collusion hoax and the covering up of Hunter Biden’s laptop leading into the 2020 election—have solidified for me that the mainstream media can never be trusted again. I don’t want to tell anyone else that this is the case for them; everyone is free to make up their own mind. But for me, I’ve seen and heard enough.

Above all, however, the one lesson my COVID flashbacks today reinforced was that it takes insane courage to speak out against the powers that be when the government is at the peak of trying to tell you how to feel and what to think. As I said in a 2021 podcast with Dave Collum, the propaganda to get vaccinated in 2021 was beyond overwhelming. Remember this shit?

And those are the times it takes the most courage and the biggest resolve to stand up for liberty, civil rights, and the objective truth as you see it. I didn’t have the courage to examine the other side of the coin when the Russia-Ukraine war started, but my friend George Gammon did, and I’m glad I listened to his podcast to hear about the context I was missing. I didn’t have the courage to publicly put together a comprehensive case for why COVID may have come from a lab, but Zero Hedge did, and I’m glad I got to read their analysis—which, by the way, got them kicked off Twitter at the time.

The whole point of starting my blog was to examine narratives on the “fringe” and do my best to arrive at objective truths. I came to this method of thinking because it coincides with investing: you want to know all the facts about a company and hear the best bull and bear cases available before you make your decision. The more data you have access to, the more informed you are, and the more likely you are to make the “right” decision as you see it. The same principle applies to politics and current events.

Reading that COVID-19 report today was a reminder—not only to pay closer attention to those loud objectors the next time I’m having a narrative mercilessly stuffed down my throat—but also to try and have a modicum more courage than I’ve had in years past to find my own voice and courage to speak up when something doesn’t make sense to me.

As a contrarian investor by nature, this should be second nature to me, but looking back at COVID-19 and the events of the last four years, I still feel like there’s room for improvement and I could’ve done more.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/lessons-covid-fringe

Flu Shots Increase Susceptibility to Common Cold

 By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH

For the past three years I have skipped the influenza vaccine and have noticed progressively fewer viral upper respiratory tract illnesses or common colds. In decades prior I had taken forty flu shots as requirements in medical school, residency, fellowship, and medical staff. Could the flu shot weaken or misdirect the immune system on a regular basis?

In 2012, Cowling et al performed a prospective, double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial in children ages 6-15 years to who received either the 2008–2009 seasonal trivalent influenza inactivated vaccine (TIV; 0.5 mL Vaxigrip; Sanofi Pasteur) or placebo. The results were stunning. While summer and winter colds were not statistically different, proven viral infections within two weeks of the shot confirmed by PCR testing were 4.4-fold greater in those who took the flu shot.

https://petermcculloughmd.substack.com/p/flu-shots-increase-susceptibility

Russian Ship Fires Warning Shots At German Military Helicopter In Baltic Sea

 In a rare dangerous incident and close-call, European media reports have described that the crew of a Russian ship 'fired' upon a Germany army helicopter which was monitoring the vessel's movements in the Baltic Sea.

"German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced increased surveillance in the Baltic Sea after a Russian ship fired at a Bundeswehr helicopter during a mission," EuroNews writes.

The Bundeswehr helicopter was confirmed to have been on a reconnaissance mission at an unclear date and time, but the Russian ship - described in The Daily Mail as a warship - fired signaling ammunition in an apparent effort to warn the aircraft off.

Illustrative: Getty Images

Baerbock disclosed the incident for the first time on the sidelines of a NATO foreign minister's meeting in Brussels, but gave few other details.

"Signal ammunition is used for warning shots rather than attack, but this sort of incident is a sign of how close NATO and Russia are getting to facing each other directly," Daily Mail concludes.

Currently there's a lot of Western monitoring of the Baltic Sea after several communications cables which link Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania were severed in a suspected sabotage incident.

Allegations and focus have remained on the Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 which was observed in the area at the time of the suspected sabotage. It's believed to have intentionally dragged its anchor to damage the underwater cables. The Swedish government has demanded answers of Beijing. 

Tensions have been soaring of late between Berlin and Moscow, given Baerbock on Tuesday also told NATO allies that all options are on the table regarding the Ukraine war, presumably even the potential for deploying Western troops there.

Russian state media has picked up on her hinting at this scenario:

She suggested that a potential peace deal could include security guarantees for Kiev, such as the prospect of NATO membership and continued military support from the West, as well as an international peacekeeping mission.

Asked about what military role Germany could play in such a deal, Baerbock was quoted by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) as saying that “only we as Europeans can protect peace together,” suggesting that EU countries, including Germany, could send their soldiers to Ukraine.

The Kremlin is unlikely to ever accept a deal which puts NATO 'peacekeeping' forces even closer on its doorstep. Thus Russian officials are deeply suspicious of any talk of peacekeeping troops.

With the Russian army on the offensive, making continual and steady gains in the Donbas, Putin is not going to be in the mood to concede much if and when direct negotiations finally happen.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russian-ship-fires-warning-shots-german-reconnaissance-helicopter-baltic-sea

'Jackson sees parallel with past racial discrimination'

 During oral arguments on Dec. 4, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson compared Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care to past bans on interracial marriage.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/jackson-sees-parallel-with-past-racial-discrimination/2024/12/04/88e94c19-edec-4b76-ab52-caa682cb520a_video.html

Who was Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare CEO?

 Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Fox News has confirmed.

Thompson was set to attend UnitedHealth's investor day when he was fatally shot in the chest. The New York Post first identified the victim as Thompson. According to ABC News, police say the shooter was wearing a ski mask and fled down an alleyway near West 55th St. The shooter was described as a skinny man, standing at about 6-foot-1 and wearing all black. Sources told Fox News the shooting was not a random incident.

Without identifying the victim, the New York City Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that a 50-year-old man was shot in the chest outside the Hilton Hotel on 6th Ave. at approximately 6:46 a.m. and was transported to Mt. Sinai West, where he was pronounced deceased. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York City, according to Fox News sources. (FOX 5 New York/ WNYW | UnitedHealth / Fox News)

Thompson worked at UnitedHealth for more than 20 years and was based out of the company's headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, according to his LinkedIn page. He was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shared a statement on X saying, "This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota. Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team."

Thompson joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and held a variety of leadership roles over the course of his career. 

He served as the chief financial officer for several of the company's businesses, including its employer and individual, community and state, and Medicare and retirement divisions.

Thompson also served as the financial controller for UnitedHealthcare's employer and individual business and as a director in corporate development.

Scene near the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, NY where a man was shot to death in this morning according to police, Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The victim is reported to be 50 year-old, Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital / Fox News)

UnitedHealthcare is a unit within UnitedHealth Group. A report by the American Medical Association (AMA) from 2023 found that UnitedHealthGroup was the largest health insurer by market share, with 14% of the health insurance market.

Before working at UnitedHealth, Thompson held managerial roles at PwC in the company's auditing and transaction advisory services division.

He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with an accounting degree and was named outstanding accounting junior and senior by the university and Iowa Society of CPAs.

UnitedHealth canceled the remainder of its investor day following the incident. UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty said, "We're dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result, I'm afraid we're going to have to bring to a close the event today."

Fox News Digital reached out to UnitedHealthcare but did not immediately hear back.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/who-brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare-ceo