Anti-vaccination group faces shutdown
19th Feb 2010
Andrew BraceyAN immunisation expert has welcomed news that the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) – often labelled an ‘anti vaccination’ group – may soon be forced to cease operations.
AVN president Meryl Dorey last week said the group would now be relying on supporter donations to continue its work to inform patients of the risks involved in vaccination.
The group’s leadership, which has criticised the national rollout of the cervical cancer and swine flu vaccines, will meet next week to discuss its future.
However, immunisation expert Dr Peter Eizenberg said the AVN’s looming collapse would not prove a loss to “informed intelligent debate”.
“If they were objective and scientific and impartial then they would be worthwhile but that is not what they are,” he said.
Defending the organisation she founded in 1994, Ms Dorey said though often labelled as “anti-vaccination”, AVN focused on assisting individuals to make informed vaccination decisions.
“Everyone is entitled to know the information on both sides. Nobody should have to make a decision they feel goes against their own health interests or [those] of their child,” she said.
Ms Dorey was unconcerned about an ongoing Health Care Complaints Commission investigation into claims AVN had provided medical advice without the authority to do so.
Source: http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/index.php/news/antivaccination-group-faces-shutdown