The AMA and the state’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the claims by Meryl Dorey (pictured) had no factual basis. Picture: Glenn Barnes Source: News Limited
HEALTH experts are furious that anti-vaccination campaigner Meryl Dorey was allowed to deliver a 90-minute address to Sunshine Coast parents yesterday, an area with one of the state’s lowest vaccination rates.
Ms Dorey is founder of the NSW-based Australian Vaccination Skeptics Network, which alleges strong links between vaccination and disorders such as autism.
CLAIMS: Death threat as anti-vaxxer set to speak
The AMA and the state’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said Ms Dorey’s claims had no factual basis, and yesterday criticised the organisers of the Sunshine Coast Healthy Lifestyle Expo for allowing her to speak.
“Ms Dorey is not an expert; she discussed things that have been totally disproved in many different forums,’’ Dr Young said.
“I would just hope before a parent makes such an important decision about their child’s future that they do talk to someone who does understand the issue: their GP.’’
The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission last month issued a public warning about the Australian Vaccination Skeptics Network, saying their “dissemination of misleading, misrepresented and incorrect information about vaccination engenders fear and alarm’’.
Ms Dorey told yesterday’s forum there was considerable evidence to indicate vaccinations could affect the brains and behaviour of children. She said she had been “treated like a terrorist’’ for her views and claimed she had received a death threat.
Fiona Sugden, executive director of The Parenthood, said she wanted to see a code of ethics introduced to ensure public entities and organisations could not allow Ms Dorey to “spread mistruths’’ at public events.
We are really disappointed that the organisers of the expo have made this choice,’’ she said.
Outgoing federal AMA president Steve Hambleton said he was disappointed the AVSN had been given a platform to speak publicly.
A Week in Science – Vaccination Myths 2:47
When it comes to vaccinations, misinformation can kill. Find out the truth as we look at vaccination myths, including the mercury fear and autism claims.
- news.com.au
- 23 Apr 2014
- Lifestyle/Health