I am referring to this post about low vaccination rates by Ms. Nicole Fisher. The errors detract from the main point. Original text in italics.
- “For example, the conventional model for dispensing vaccines includes: four DTap, three polio, one MMR, three Hib, three Hep B, one varicella, and four PCV (4:3:1:3:3:1:4), for a total of 19 antigens being administered. ” The confusion here is injections vs antigens. 19 = number of injections. The number of antigens = 4 (DTap) + 1 (polio) + 3 (MMR) + 1 (Hib) + 1 (Hep B) + 1 (varicella) + 1 (PCV) = 12.
- But I miscounted. The polio vaccine has 3 polio types (I, II, and III), so there are 3 antigens PCV has 13 antigens(if we referring to current Prevnar). So total antigens is 26 (12 + 3 + 13 – 2 for doublecounting).
- “This begs the question, why don’t doctors use combination vaccines? . . . The sad answer is that doctors are not financially incentivized to.” This is way more complicated than just negative financial incentives. Directions for vaccine administration are part of the label. MDs are free to administer their own way, but why should they? Any bad sequelae and the MD will be responsible.
- Maybe there would interference after vaccines are combined. It is possible.
- “Low reimbursements mean doctors’ lives have more difficulty making ends meet . . .” Really confusing sentence.
- ” It’s time to recognize the significant and detrimental role monovalent shots are having . . .” 2 of 8 vaccines mentioned are multivalent.