In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations recommends that healthy adults and children receive annual influenza vaccinations. Each year, approximately one third of Canadians (ages 12 and up) receive the influenza vaccination. For the most part, vaccination is a safe and effective way of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, such as influenza. However, adverse events are a risk of vaccination. Bob Martin, a survivor of a vaccine-related injury knows this first hand. In 2010 Bob received the H1N1 flu shot (influenza vaccination) and developed Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease that effects about one in a million people who are vaccinated. While most G20 countries have a vaccine injury compensation program for individuals who are harmed after receiving routine vaccinations, Bob quickly learned that Quebec is the only Canadian province that offers compensation. Here’s Bob’s story: One week after H1N1 vaccination in the Fall of 2010 I developed a fever and had difficulty swallowing. My balance was compromised. On November 1st I experienced some stiffness in my legs. By the next morning both of my legs were numb and tingling. I had trouble balancing and could not stand. I was rushed to the hospital and doctors assessed me as suffering from Guillain–Barré syndrome. They immediately began an intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in an attempt to reverse the syndrome. But, my condition worsened; paralysis began to set in and I developed respiratory problems. The next week I was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and placed on a ventilator. At this point I was paralyzed up to my shoulders. I could barely shrug or move my neck or head. I was given a nasal feeding tube. My ability to communicate was limited. I used an alphabet chart and blinked when I heard the particular letters I needed to spell the words I was trying to communicate. On Nov. 18th they removed the ventilator from my mouth and did a tracheotomy and attached the ventilator to the trachea. During the next two weeks I lost control of the muscles in my tongue and in my eyes. This ultimately resulted in some vision problems. On December 2nd my doctors moved my feeding tube from my nasal area to my stomach. My breathing slowly improved. I practiced breathing on my own for a few minutes each day in order to build up my strength. I was in the ICU for four months. During this time I received over 50 X-rays and ultrasounds. I had pneumonia (twice), bladder infections, and a ten-inch blood clot along a pic line in my right arm and into my chest. As one doctor told me, “Bob, if you don’t die from pneumonia or a blood clot you’ll be out of here in 6 – 8 months.” Eventually the ventilator was removed. I stopped taking pain medication and I was moved into rehab where I was determined to walk again. In late June 2011 I was sent home. I could walk with a cane, but still needed a hospital bed and a commode. My case is severe and my recovery has been slow. I have good days and I have bad days. Years later, I still sleep 10 – 13 hours each night, my body gets tired easily, and I have gained weight. I can no longer run or walk long distances. I have poor balance. My feet are either numb or have a painful burning sensation. My hands shake in certain positions and I get electrical shocks to my feet during the day. I have monthly pedicures and massages to alleviate my symptoms. I now pay out-of-pocket for some of these services as my medical only covers part of the costs. I would undergo these treatments more frequently if they were fully covered. I have not been able to work full-time since developing Guillain–Barré syndrome. Bob’s story is rare, but not unique. Other Canadians have developed Guillain–Barré syndrome or reported harm related to routine vaccinations. Although the Canadian Government recommends several routine vaccinations and monitors adverse events following immunization, they have not implemented a no-fault vaccine injury compensation program. Bob wants this to change. Bob has met with Federal and Provincial members of Parliament, contacted Health Canada, and reached out to Glaxo Smith Kline, the H1N1 vaccine manufacturer, but has had little luck. If you want Canadians to have access to vaccine injury compensation, you can sign Bob’s petition or write a letter to the Federal Minister of Health, Jane Philpott at [email protected] and c/c Bob at [email protected]. Angel Petropanagos is a visiting researcher at the Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto and a Research Associate at Novel Tech Ethics, Dalhousie University. @APetropanagos
15 Comments
Wendy Hill
1/29/2018 11:18:54 am
I wonder if this is a good idea. Although I agree some one needs to compensate this man, and others, it is difficult to get compensation through the US system. Suing the pharmaceutical company will be difficult and costly I would guess. If it could be set up as a less adversarial system than the US, I would be more likely to agree. We need to be educating people on not getting ANY vaccines
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1/29/2018 12:23:15 pm
We will have the most Fair and Just vaccine compensation Program, all the Govt needs to do is listen and i will lead them as they seem to be ignorant and not willing to accept their sworn duty to all Canadians, they will soon , as i have been crusading and offering my( our) expert, knowledgeable and dedicated commitment to see this law.
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3/20/2018 12:54:49 pm
no need to wonder? its just like vaccine insurance ,and will work wonderfully for all Canadians that deserve it, after having a Bad Vaccine or A Vaccine Gone Bad.
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9/17/2023 05:46:06 pm
I respect Angels printing and support of my Canada wide Vaxxine injury Program I have been Fighting for over the past 12 years still to NO affect by our Governments a (cruel and unusual treatment) by all legal as well as our Freedom of Rights included in our Canadian Constitution.The part Angel included unfortunately is mostly a Canada Government misleading Health lie and has been from the start of their deliberate policy to disregard Our protection financially and physically as we unlike 18 G-20 countries have a vaccine injury Compensation Program only Russia and Canada DO NOT. The numbers are manipulated to make all vaxxines appear safe at 1 in a MILLION injured or killed. Do your own research and you will see how criminal all PHARMA have been over the years and in turn all Govt's and OUR Health departments. see: my story at https://vaccineinjurycompensationcanada.weebly.com/ Bobby Martin
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Chantelle Mallinson
1/29/2018 12:13:22 pm
Competition is necessary in any injury case.
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1/29/2018 12:24:23 pm
we will see this completed for all Canadians. Bob Martin. Thank you for your interest, Bob
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4/19/2022 02:17:15 am
https://www.facebook.com/GrowingBolder/photos/a.222277093580/10158674213543581/?__cft__[0]=AZUx3EqHGql1rthkTScyeKP0NyltdDhFRbSsrxHxGhnF3eI65_LOZTUyy75ApD3xCpu4_ChpTJwkkC8EsW0gvR-JYLThBohdjoX5QYSwPQ5igSFHz42LO0Andu4LZa1CTM9f1gdC2RqScRIQKowSCWz6&__tn__=EH-R
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heather warta
1/29/2018 03:37:19 pm
It's about time Canada created a compensation program for the massive number of vaccine injuries!
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Bob Martin
1/29/2018 07:44:24 pm
There is so much more to come and we in Canada and Russia will have the most to uncover. The new Canadian Vaccine Program will and MUST be RETROACTIVE to at least 2009.
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Tatum Young
3/20/2018 12:48:23 pm
My Guillain-Barre' Syndrome travesty seems to never end. As a result of GBS I had reconstructive surgery on a foot the was broken prior to my problem with GBS, but became a serious problem after my hospital and in home stay. The surgery wounds did not heal and the surgeon felt that the problem was due to the nerve damage from GBS. I am now after six weeks on a Wound Vac Machine. I am facing a new surgery with a skin graft. What a disease!
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3/20/2018 12:57:47 pm
sorry to hear, its very debilitating when we do not recover well from these type of vaccine injuries. Bob
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7/17/2018 09:29:54 pm
Too bad you like many of us the Vaccine injured suffer for the rest of our lives. Bob Martin GBS Survivor
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Jessie
12/16/2018 07:12:33 am
I'm so sry this has happened to you and it's very disappointing that nothing is being done to compensate you, I too have a child that suffers from immunizations, she was born healthy and then at her 6 month shots that's when everything went down hill, lots of hospital trips telling me they don't know what's wrong with her always sending me home with steroids for her breathing, and puffers, my daughter from 6 months til now at the age of 4 has had several breathing issues, they passed it off as asthma, then at the age of 2 she was not speaking like normal 2 year olds, now my daughter is autisic, and it's a struggle everyday to work with her speech, and understanding.. I hope u get what ur looking for and my prayers r with you... 2/17/2020 03:27:30 pm
Life goes on. Bobhttps://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpetitions.ourcommons.ca%2Fen%2FPetition%2FDetails%3FPetition%3De-2386%26fbclid%3DIwAR1qrpWQ_V-wxGvbvq6Ot3WxIlhswgq7eTkNszO9KMBiI-r5DcI-mUIuNHQ&h=AT2gVAcgxI6bRz8RRn-FkGsYBzEX2iUjyxscBaGQtbxFdNU5aCqjcy266hxif4PBVYc7Mbu7h-6WuWB4DKAztSgjde3HTy9SsXl5MZlRKH23DkFO4eMNymdFmXr_QZtGCA4dsYxCcQvu6j7etF7Ssw Leave a Reply. |
AuthorBob Martin is a surviver of GBS due to a vaccine injury by the H1N1 flu shot in October 2010. Archives
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