Title: Disturbing Surge in Infant Mortality Raises Concerns About Potential Links to COVID Vaccination
In a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a significant increase in infant mortality rates has raised concerns among experts and researchers. The concerning trend began in 2022 and continued into 2023, marking the first year-to-year increase in more than two decades.
The CDC data reveals that both overall infant mortality and neonatal mortality rates have experienced an uptick. The neonatal mortality rate, which represents deaths of infants under one month old, rose by 3% from 2021 to 2022. Similarly, the postneonatal mortality rate, which accounts for deaths between 28 and 364 days old, increased by 4% during the same period.
While the rise in infant mortality affects communities across racial and ethnic backgrounds, the data shows a more significant increase among American Indian/Alaskan Native women and white women. For example, the rate of infant deaths per 1,000 live births rose from 7.46 to 9.06 for American Indian/Alaskan Native women and from 4.36 to 9.06 for white women.
Experts are particularly alarmed by these statistics, as they signify a departure from the declining trend observed in recent years. The causes behind the surge in infant mortality are multifaceted and include maternal complications and bacterial sepsis.
A recent study has revealed a potential link between immune suppression and the increase in sepsis cases. Researchers demonstrated immune suppression in small children following COVID-19 vaccination, emphasizing how the immune response may be altered in vaccinated individuals.
Furthermore, vaccination-related immune suppression among mothers and infants may explain the higher incidence of hospitalizations for infectious diseases among vaccinated children. In fact, children who received the Moderna vaccine experienced a nine-fold increase in hospitalization rates compared to the control group.
While the reasons behind the rise in infant mortality remain complex, some health experts have pointed out the negative impact of restricted healthcare access. They argue that limited access to reproductive health services, including abortion, can contribute to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.
It is worth noting that the disparity in mortality rates between different racial and ethnic groups is not statistically significant, challenging the claim of health disparities affecting minority communities more severely.
Despite the ABC News report quoting an expert who blamed Republicans, abortions, and a Supreme Court decision for the increase in infant mortality, a recent analysis found that less than 3% of women of reproductive age in the U.S. live in counties without access to abortion or maternity care.
As the nation grapples with these concerning trends, further research and analysis are needed to determine the precise factors contributing to the increase in infant mortality rates. Experts urge a comprehensive and unbiased investigation into potential links between COVID vaccination and adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.
The rise in infant mortality serves as a reminder of the continuous need for equitable access to healthcare and comprehensive reproductive services for all women. It is crucial to approach this issue with open-mindedness, relying on scientific evidence and expert analysis to ensure the well-being of mothers and their infants.
