For what seems like years now, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has waged its "Don't Wait, Vaccinate" campaign, spending millions of tax dollars to promote a vaccine regimen.
The campaign has continued throughout the state, focusing on collegiate sporting events and radio broadcasts.
However, State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) is working on legislation to end the marketing campaign that offers no metric for its success.
During an interview with Mobile radio's FM Talk 106.5 on Tuesday, the Etowah County lawmaker blamed Big Pharma for wielding its influence to impose the cost of the marketing campaign on taxpayers.
"Absolutely, it's even at your high school level. You see this as well — the 'Don't Wait Vaccinate,'" he said. "I've had people all over the states send me pictures of these advertisements. And, you know, it's Coca-Cola and Pepsi, they advertise their products and pay for it themselves, like almost every other business on the planet. But, you know, Big Pharma has been successful in getting through lobbyists, convincing the powers that be that we, the people, need to do their advertisements. And they are making billions and billions of dollars in profits. And their advertisements don't mention the many, many adverse effects from the vaccines. They don't mention that their, you know, manufacturers are shielded from liabilities. So this does upset a lot of people. And, you know, now we know that just the last few years, $19 million has been spent advertising, you know, these products."
Butler continued, "And I know, as a small business owner, wouldn't that be awesome if somebody would put my advertising cost? I mean, it's just insane. We're not, in this legislation, would not prohibit Big Pharma, you know, Pfizer or whoever, from advertising their products. It would just prohibit the taxpayers from doing it. And it does have a little carve-out exemption. You know, if federal law requires it, so be it. But it just makes no sense that we the people are paying the enormous cost. Could you imagine, we know what just has been spent in Alabama. Can you imagine? And I wouldn't be surprised if we're advertising it out of America as well. But it's just pure insanity ... Let Big Pharma pay for their own advertising. That's what the thought that some of us have."
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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