Page 1477 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 17 April 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
identify what antibodies are already present due to previous illnesses or by transfer from the mother. I understand, of course, that this is not possible for all diseases. Also, a blood count could be carried out to ascertain the patient's general health and the patient's ability to withstand an invasion of his or her blood by a foreign disease carrying substance - which is the form of vaccination, of course.
A New South Wales based group called Immunisation Investigation Group has been recently formed and it aims to record the damage to children's health which has directly resulted from immunisation. To date, death, brain damage, permanent disability and ill health have all been reported to this group. I acknowledge that many more deaths and cases of permanent disability are likely to occur because of the disease. Therefore, I applaud and encourage safe immunisation and other prophylactic measures against diseases - including homeopathics. My understanding is that the AMA would support compulsory vaccination only if those who suffer extreme trauma as a result are financially compensated. Why, if vaccination is safe?
The NHMRC reports on immunisation prior to school entry clearly state that they support compulsory notification of immunisation status, not compulsory immunisation. I might add also that the ACT health department supports the NHMRC stand on this issue.
I acknowledge that many more deaths and cases of permanent damage may occur because of the disease than will occur due to the vaccination. However, who, other than a parent, has the right to make this decision, which is based on chance? My call is for the medical professionals to advise each patient of the risks, be they ever so small. It has been publicly mooted that the ACT Government should consider as a matter of policy that all parents must have their children inoculated or else education of the children will be withheld. In my view, that is a most dangerous proposal, albeit for the best motives. I do not support such a move. I do support the NHMRC and its call for compulsory notification of the immunisation status of all school children.
MR BERRY: Mr Deputy Speaker, I am just trying to find the standing order which deals with a motion to require members to table material. It is standing order 213. If Mr Prowse would agree to table his speech it would be helpful.
MR PROWSE: I certainly have no problems with that. I table the following paper:
Immunisation - Speech notes.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .