Posted
Hobart City Council wants to know why anti-vaccination campaigners were allowed to hold a stall at a major health expo in Hobart on the weekend.
The Tasmanian Wellness Expo was jointly organised by the West Moonah Community House and Australian Rotary Health, but two of its major sponsors are the State Government and the Hobart City Council.
Both promote vaccinations as part of public health campaigns.
The event at Hobart’s Princes Wharf 1 on Saturday included a range of stalls associated with health and wellness, from yoga to mental health first aid.
But one stall was plastered with posters, pamphlets and paraphernalia encouraging the public not to vaccinate themselves or their children.
It also featured flyers that said vaccines were toxic for humans.
The stall included books and various displays about the Federal Government’s “No Jab, No Pay” program, and genetically modified foods (GMO).
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said council would speak with event organisers.
“We’ll be asking the event organisers what their stance is in relation to anti-vaxxers,” she said.
She said the council, which gave money for the event through a grants program, supported vaccinations within the community.
Immunisation rates ‘best on record’
A State Government spokesman said the expo was not a government-run event, and therefore it had no say in what stalls were included.
“The State Government is concerned about reports of anti-vaccination material at the wellness expo, as the Government strongly supports public vaccinations,” he said.
“While in previous years the wellness expo has overwhelmingly exhibited evidence-based services and information, it is not a government-run event and we have no oversight of decisions around exhibitors at the event.
“However, the Government will be strongly encouraging the organisers to closely review the content of their exhibitors in the future.
“Fortunately it seems that the vast majority of Tasmanians are ignoring this stuff.
“The Government strongly supports public vaccinations and Tasmania’s latest child immunisation rates are the best on record.”
As of last year, families who choose not to vaccinate their children will have their Centrelink benefits reduced by $28 a fortnight under the Federal Government’s “No Jab, No Pay” program.
However, children with certain medical issues are exempt from the program.
A meningococcal outbreak last year prompted the State Government to begin a free vaccination program for all children aged between six weeks and 21 years to receive the meningococcal ACWY strain.
More than 70,000 free vaccines were distributed to Tasmanian GPs, pharmacies and council clinics as part of the program.
Topics:
tas,
from Trend Gossip Now https://ift.tt/2EI4jvF
0 Comments