Dr. Philip McMillan, John McMillan

Excess deaths have cast a shadow over public health discussions in recent years, particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. An unexpected rise in mortality has been documented among individuals who received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine—a trend not observed in those who are fully vaccinated with booster doses. This development has raised significant concerns and prompted healthcare professionals to investigate this anomaly.

In a recent Vejon Health episode, Dr. Philip McMillan clarified the distinctions between vaccination cohorts. “Unvaccinated means that you have never had a COVID-19 vaccine,” he explains. The “undervaccinated” category encompasses individuals who have received one or two doses but lack up-to-date booster shots. Those considered fully vaccinated remain current with CDC-recommended boosters, specifically tailored for individuals aged 65 and older or those with moderate to severe immunocompromisation as of October 23, 2023.

Analyzing Mortality Patterns 

Excess mortality, which measures the number of deaths exceeding the expected baseline, has increased by 2.5% in the UK and 3% in the US. This rise is particularly pronounced among the undervaccinated—those with one or two vaccine doses but without recommended booster shots. In contrast, the fully vaccinated population, current with CDC-recommended boosters, has not shown a similar increase in excess deaths.

Dr. McMillan’s research, using data from the UK’s Office of National Statistics, revealed a disturbing pattern. Between June and December 2022, mortality rates among those with only one or two vaccine doses surpassed those of the unvaccinated. “If you have ever been vaccinated or boosted, you appear protected compared to the unvaccinated,” he notes. However, this protective effect diminishes over time, particularly beyond six months post-second dose, where significant protection is no longer evident.

Challenges & Implications

The higher excess mortality in partially vaccinated groups has generated several compelling theories. Primary among these is the possibility that incomplete vaccination leads to suboptimal immune responses, potentially increasing vulnerability to other infections or health complications. Another theory posits that adverse reactions to the initial vaccine doses could contribute to elevated mortality rates, although more research is needed to confirm these associations.

Behavioral and systemic factors may also influence these outcomes. Partially vaccinated individuals might exhibit different health behaviors compared to their fully vaccinated or unvaccinated counterparts, potentially impacting overall mortality. For example, those with incomplete vaccination might engage less rigorously in other preventive measures, inadvertently increasing their risk of adverse health outcomes.

The pattern extends to non-COVID-related mortality, with higher death rates observed in the undervaccinated groups from causes unrelated to COVID-19.This suggests that factors beyond COVID-19 infection are influencing these mortality trends. Understanding whether these excess deaths are directly attributable to vaccination status or other underlying conditions is essential for developing targeted public health interventions. Parallels drawn from similar studies in other medical fields, such as cardiology, indicate consistent patterns of increased mortality among the undervaccinated, providing further evidence of a serious problem that requires a broader examination of vaccination protocols and their long-term effects.

One might wonder why such a critical issue hasn’t garnered widespread attention. Dr. McMillan attributes this oversight to a lack of political and financial willpower in public health sectors to thoroughly investigate these anomalies. “We desperately need public health to not take a political or financial stance and really try and clarify exactly what is happening,” he urges.

The reluctance to conduct comprehensive autopsies further obscures the understanding of these mortality trends. Without detailed examinations, it remains challenging to determine the exact causes of death and their potential links to vaccination status. Addressing this issue requires a commitment to unbiased research and the removal of political and financial barriers that may impede thorough investigations.

The increase in excess deaths among partially vaccinated individuals requires an immediate reassessment of current vaccination strategies. Exploring the immunological, behavioral, and systemic factors contributing to this trend is vital for ensuring effective public health policies. Only through comprehensive investigation, including detailed post-mortem examinations, can we hope to identify and address the underlying causes of these abnormal mortality patterns.

References:
https://www.hartgroup.org/ons-mortality-data/

https://www.hartgroup.org/excess-mortality/

https://www.hartgroup.org/can-the-mortality-anomalies-in-the-ons-data-be-explained/