2006D-0383
  

  
 Characterization and Qualification of Cell Substrates and Other Biological Starting Materials Used in the Production of Viral Vaccines for the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases

  


  

  

  


  

  


  

  


  

  


  

  


  

  
FDA Comment Number : 
  

  
EC2581
  



  

  
Submitter : 
  

  
Dr. Frank  Dennehy
  

  
Date & Time: 
  

  
12/05/2006 10:12:11
  



  

  
Organization : 
  

  
Dr. Frank  Dennehy
  



  

  
Category : 
  

  
Health Professional
  



  

  
Issue Areas/Comments 
  


  

  


  

  
GENERAL
  


  

  



  

  
GENERAL
  


  

  



  

  
 Dear FDA,

I am a practicing Family Physician and run a Family Medicine Residency Program.  I would like to comment on the use of aborted fetal cell lines in the production of some vaccines. 

Many patients in our practice in NW Virginia will not vaccinate their children with vaccines produced from these cell lines, because of moral concerns.  The number of families in our community that will not vaccinate is very large.

I, too, am opposed to these particular vaccines, but do administer them to protect children from the specific diseases.

There are other morally acceptable alternatives for vaccine production. 

As a physician, I am concerned about the public health risk to the general population.  This may become an even bigger problem if aborted fetal cell lines are used to produce influenza vaccine or an avian flu vaccine. 

Please stop the use of aborted fetal cell lines in the production of vaccines, in favor of only morally acceptable techniques.