Anti-vax views ‘nonsense’: Health Minister - Medical Observer

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http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/antivax-views-nonsense-health-minister

I love this quote:“There are times when you have to say, you do not have the right to speak because the things you say are inflammatory and misleading.”Yup, these people are really into freedom of speech - as long as they agree with what you're saying, that is. And look at the comments - they are comparing my stance on vaccination with those people who don't agree with vaccination. Hmmmm.

Today: Sat 17 Dec 2011

Anti-vax views ‘nonsense’: Health Minister

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16th Dec 2011

Mark O’Brien all articles by this author3 comments

QUEENSLAND Health Minister Geoff has

rubbished the views of Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) president Meryl Dorey, but defended her right to speak at the Woodford Folk Festival on the Gold Coast later this month.The

festival website said Ms Dorey had “collected reports of thousands of Australian families whose children have been killed or injured by [vaccinations]”, but Mr was unequivocal about the need for children to be immunised.“Parents should vaccinate themselves and their children,” Mr said.Mr described the AVN as a “fringe group” and said it was wrong to discourage people from getting vaccinated.“Fortunately, there’s enough wonderful things to do at Woodford that patrons have plenty of alternatives rather than sitting through the nonsense Meryl Dorey spouts about vaccination dangers,” he said.“For the small number of people who might be entertained by what Ms Dorey has to say, Woodford Folk Festival has a place for everyone. Just don’t take her nonsense too seriously.“The fact is vaccinations have saved millions of lives. Their invention was a miracle of scientific achievement.”Public health campaigner Dr Ken Harvey equated Ms Dorey’s stance on vaccination to controversial academic Dr Ian Plimer’s views on climate change.“I suspect the organisers didn’t appreciate her history and probably she presented a reasonable case for public interest,” Dr Harvey said.“It’s easy enough to cherry-pick arguments and statistics but the overwhelming evidence is the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.”Australian Skeptics executive officer Tim Mendham welcomed Mr ’s comments but said the right to free expression only went so far.“The classic example is you can’t yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre,” Ms Mendham said.“There are times when you have to say, you do not have the right to speak because the things you say are inflammatory and misleading.”Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the state remained committed to vaccination.“The benefits of vaccination are obvious. Between 1930 and 1988, around 40,000 Australians developed paralytic Polio. Now Australia is Polio free,” Dr Young said.“This program saves lives, and we will continue to urge Queenslanders

to vaccinate their children against life-threatening illnesses.”

Tags: Geoff , Jeannette Young, Meryl Dorey, Ken Harvey, Tim Mendham, Vaccination, Immunisation

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Prof 16th Dec 20111:28pm report

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The same can be said for the anti-circ lobby. Their blatant misinformation campaign can only continue to have a devastating effect on public health. In this case we are talking about a 'surgical vaccine'. Infant male circumcision needs to be restored to the public hospital system as a matter of the utmost urgency. At least Qld has shown the greatest resistance to the lobbying by fringe groups and uninformed members of the medical profession. For information on the extensive benefits see: www.circinfo.net ... and over 1,000 publications

from the medical literature. Professor J. , School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney.

DrPhil16th Dec 20112:30pm report

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why not let the boys decide for themselves when they are capable of

informed consent? or simply teach them safe sex and hygiene,or both......I took a conscientious objection to neonatal circ in 1978.....30 years of O & G practice since,I'm happy with my decision......

skindoc417th Dec 20111:51am report

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Dr Harvey should stick to the science he knows which he does very well and keep away from comments on subjects not in his field - lest he discredit himself. The pseudoscience of anthropogenic climate change has

far more in common with the discredited Meryl Dorey than do Ian Plimer's views which are based on a scientific interpretation of available data, albeit an interpretation with which Dr Harvey may not agree.There are many reputable scientists who do not worship at the Church of Anthropogenic Climate Change but who nevertheless would agree that Ms Dorey peddles unscientific nonsense - an inappropriate simile, Dr Harvey

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