With the Wind with Dr. Paul — Podcast #209: Pediatric Perspectives: A Big Whoop: Pertussis + Death After DTaP with Kari Bundy and Polly Tommey

What is the real risk of pertussis compared to the vaccine designed to prevent it — and what happens when a family isn't given the space to say no?

In this episode of Pediatric Perspectives, I was joined by Kari Bundy, a health freedom advocate whose son Mason died three days after his four-month vaccines, and by Polly Tommey, who turned the interview around to ask me about pertussis, the DTaP/Tdap vaccine, and SIDS. Kari's story is a hard one, but it's the kind of story parents deserve to hear before they're standing in an exam room being told their baby needs a shot right now.

In this episode, we cover:

• Kari Bundy's account of the pressure she and her husband faced to vaccinate her son Mason at his four-month checkup, despite his recent illness
• What happened in the days following Mason's DTaP (Pentacel) vaccine, and the loss the family experienced
• How Kari approached her next son's whooping cough differently, and what she used to support his recovery
• Kari's advice to parents on decision-making from a place of calm rather than fear
• My own clinical perspective on acellular pertussis vaccine effectiveness and comparative death-risk data
• The connection between SIDS, the Back to Sleep program, and the timing of infant deaths relative to vaccination

Show Notes

With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 209: Pediatric Perspectives: A Big Whoop: Pertussis + Death After DTaP with Kari Bundy and Polly Tommey

Host: Dr. Paul Thomas, MD (Retired)

Guests: Kari Bundy — health freedom advocate, national grassroots coordinator, US Council on Domestic Relations Polly Tommey — Children's Health Defense TV host and advocate

Series: Pediatric Perspectives

Length: Approximately 27 minutes

Summary

In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, Dr. Paul Thomas is joined first by Kari Bundy, who shares the story of her son Mason's death three days after his four-month vaccines, and then by Polly Tommey, who turns the interview around to ask Dr. Paul about pertussis, the DTaP/Tdap vaccine, and SIDS.

This conversation covers Kari's account of the pressure she and her husband felt to vaccinate Mason despite his recent illness, what happened afterward, and how she made a different choice for her next child when he later contracted whooping cough. The second half of the episode explores Dr. Paul's clinical perspective on pertussis vaccine effectiveness, infant death data, and SIDS, grounded in his years of pediatric practice and the research referenced in his book Vax Facts. The focus remains educational and informational, emphasizing context and informed decision-making for families.

Key Points

• 00:00:59 — Dr. Paul opens the show and welcomes guest Kari Bundy
• 00:01:18 — Kari Bundy's background in health activism, journalism, and grassroots advocacy
• 00:02:46 — Kari recounts Mason's four-month checkup, the pressure from providers, and the DTaP (Pentacel) vaccine given March 1, 2011
• 00:05:26 — Mason found unresponsive three days after the shots, on March 5, 2011
• 00:07:20 — Kari's second son, Ollie, and the family's decision not to vaccinate him
• 00:07:29 — Ollie contracts whooping cough at 13 months and recovers using a vitamin C protocol
• 00:12:00 — Kari's advice to parents on decision-making and not acting from fear
• 00:14:09 — Polly Tommey joins to interview Dr. Paul about pertussis, DTaP/Tdap, and SIDS
• 00:18:53 — Dr. Paul discusses acellular pertussis vaccine effectiveness and comparative death-risk data
• 00:21:42 — Discussion of SIDS, the Back to Sleep program, and the timing of infant deaths relative to vaccination
• 00:25:34 — Closing summary and Dr. Paul's guidance on reducing toxic exposures and supporting the immune system

Quote

"I've never made a good decision when I've made it from a place of fear. I've learned through losing Mason that when I'm afraid, it's the time to step back and try to be more logical." — Kari Bundy

Resources

• Episode 137: LIVE FROM THE V.I.E. EVENT! – The Highwire
• Kari Bundy – Facebook Videos
• The "Tweakable" Wise Traditions Diet: Making an Ancestral Diet Work for You with Sally Fallon Morell

Disclaimer

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

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The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

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