The Australian Medical Association (AMA) says an anti-vaccination group has no place at the Sunshine Coast Healthy Lifestyle Expo.
The Australian Vaccination Sceptics Network will host a stall at the Caloundra expo to be held later this month.
However, AMA Queensland president Shaun Rudd says the group should not be allowed to have an exhibit.
“It’s a healthy lifestyle expo so they should not be anywhere near that expo,” he said.
“They may believe in what they say but that is not a healthy lifestyle. To suggest that children, especially, shouldn’t have immunisations is not a healthy way to go.
“So they should definitely not be at a healthy lifestyle expo.”
‘Death threats’
However, expo organiser Annie Infinite says a stall with pro-vaccination information will be set up alongside to provide balance.
She says the expo has been bombarded with hate mail over the decision and the matter has been referred to police for investigation.
“Oh we’ve definitely had to do that. It came to that because of the harassment, more than the death threats,” she said.
“But we have had some very hate-filled comments our way and they could definitely be construed as death threats I’d say but we’ve had so much harassment, so that’s what we’ve gone to the police about.”
Ms Infinite says the Sunshine Coast has one of Australia’s lowest immunisation rates and everyone has a right to free speech.
“We’re going to go ahead with everything. We’ve had no reason to terminate her contract with us,” she said.
“Originally because of the low vaccination rates on the Sunshine Coast, we thought it would be a great idea to discuss it.
“However, that being said, it comes down to our rights in this country to make our own choices based on information we gather.”
Source: ABC