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Anti-immunisation lobby misleading the media

I am disappointed that several media organisations have chosen to publish incorrect information from the Australian Vaccination Network
without attempting to verify the facts first with either my office or the Department of Health and Family Services.

MW 212/98
15 October 1998

Anti-immunisation lobby misleading the media


I am disappointed that several media organisations have chosen to publish incorrect information from the Australian Vaccination Network
without attempting to verify the facts first with either my office or the Department of Health and Family Services.

It has been widely reported today that I am being sued by the AVN through either or both the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal
Court.

As of 10am this morning, no Federal Court or Administrative Appeals Tribunal action had been lodged by the Australian Vaccination Network or
individuals complaining about the Government's $30 million Measles Control Campaign.

Immunisation is proven to be the safest way to protect children against preventable disease. The National Health and Medical Research Council,
the nation's peak medical academic body, says so. The World Health Organisation says so. The Australian Medical Association says so. In a
recent survey 98% of Australia's parents support immunisation.

I am very proud of our recent efforts with immunisation. Thousands of teachers, parents, nurses and others have all worked very hard to
protect children against preventable disease. I commend the resolve of parents to protect their children through immunisation in the face of the
vicious scaremongering tactics of opponents of immunisation.

There will always be some people who choose to ignore science and I respect their right to hold anti-immunisation beliefs, even if that does
leave their own children exposed to deadly but preventable illnesses.

However, I am deeply concerned that media organisations risk giving credibility to the crackpot views of the AVN by publishing, without
question, their untrue and deceitful claims. Ultimately, young children who are particularly vulnerable to measles could suffer if their parents
were influenced by the anti-science, irrational views of the AVN.

To date, almost a million children have received vaccinations against measles, one of the biggest killers in the world. Even in Australia, on
average, 14 people died from measles each year between 1978 and 1992. By immunising our children, this toll can be reduced.

I will continue to work hard to promote immunisation because it is right for Australian children. The Measles Control Campaign still has several
weeks to run, so let's work together to beat measles.

Media Contact:
Bill Royce, Dr Wooldridge's office, 02 6277 7220 or 0412 137 699

Last updated
19 October 1998
by Dirk Nissen

Page last modified: 15 October, 1998

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