Doctors warn against anti-jab group

A controversial anti-vaccination group will hold a forum in Albany on Saturday, with health authorities urging parents to follow medical advice and not “Dr Google”.

Anti-jab activists Judy Wilman and Wendy Lydall will speak at several forums across WA, including at the Uniting Church in Lockyer, spruiking the scientifically dismissed film Vaxxed.

Immunisation rates in the Great Southern are about 93 per cent for children aged one, 90 per cent for children aged two and 92 per cent for children aged five, according to the most recent health figures.

WA Country Health Service public health physician Helen van Gessel said immunisation must be at 95 per cent to achieve herd immunity.

Dr van Gessel urged parents to read the Science of Immunisation – Questions and Answers, recently released by the Australian Academy of Science.

She said the publication contained up-to-date, accurate and unbiased information on immunisation.

“Parents and families often have questions about the effectiveness and safety of immunisations, and sometimes it’s hard to know what information is reputable and what isn’t,” she said.

“Dr Google isn’t always the most reliable, as everyone knows.

“It’s also important for us in the healthcare system to keep up-to-date with the latest information and that’s why we’re so pleased to see the recent release of this updated publication.”

Dr van Gessel said according to the World Health Organisation, immunisation was one of the most effective health measures a society can undertake.

“Vaccination is second only to clean water as the public health intervention with the greatest impact globally,” she said.

“A child born in Western Australia today can be protected against 16 serious illnesses.”

The Uniting Church’s Synod of WA moderator, the Rev. Steve Francis, said he was “sad” this event was being held on a church property and he would not have allowed it if it was up to him.