Gary:
Before you read the letter that follows, you might like to read these articles listed here that outline my views on the issues surrounding vaccinations.
While I may be opposed to giving otherwise healthy children the Flu vaccine, I am in favour of giving them a tetanus vaccine - but not to an infant, that's for sure!
The vaccine debate has polarised into two opposing camps - those vehemently pro-vaccine and those who are equally vehemently opposed. There is no middle ground left. Both of these opposing sides are wrong as far as I am concerned.
Both camps are far too emotionally involved and entrenched to be able to make the right decisions - Decisions that are in the best interests of the children.
I feel for the tens of thousands of parents who are the confused meat in the sandwich of this fight and who may end up with no choice at the end of the day, other than compulsory vaccination for just about every bug under the sun.
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Katherine Smith, editor
The New Zealand Journal of Natural Medicine
PO Box 44-128
Point Chevalier
Auckland 1246
Dear Friends,
On March 24, 2011, the Report of the Health Select Committee's Inquiry into "How to improve [increase] immunisation [vaccination] completion rates" in New Zealand which was published on the parliamentary website. The government has 90 days (from March 24) to respond to the report. The government's response to this report is due on June 22.
The Health Select Committee (under the leadership of Dr Paul Hutchison) has produced a report that recommends raising the targeted vaccination completion rate to 95% for NZ children aged 0-4. It also proposes a target be set for 11 year olds.
The report also recommends that the government make children's enrollment at school and early childhood centres dependent on parents producing proof of their children's vaccination status and – even more ominously – suggests that government direct the Ministry of Health to consider linking "existing parental benefits" to vaccination. (See Page 6 of the Report.)
If the government accepts the recommendations in the report, it appears that parents will be forced to choose whether their child has no vaccinations – or all vaccinations on the schedule – in order to be able to supply the documentation necessary to enroll their child in a school or early childhood education centre. Eligibility for the 20 Hours Free Early Childhood Education may also be restricted to children who have had all recommended vaccinations (or whose parents have decided against vaccination) according to Page 33 of the Report. Christians (and others) who decide against MMR vaccination because of the use of cells derived from aborted foetal tissue in its production* (or for any other reason) could be particularly badly affected if the government adopts these sort of discriminatory policies.
Clear Conflict of Interest
