A Parents Perspective

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A Parents Perspective

• Simon Clendon

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Introduction

• Who am I?
• Parental Attitudes to Vaccination
• Perspective of Non-Medical Parent

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(No Transcript)
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Topics of Discussion

• Attitudes to Vaccination
• New Vaccines
• Anti-Vaccination Groups
• Media Reporting

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Attitudes to Vaccination

• Normal People(!)
• New-Agers and Rabid Anti-Vaxers
• Politicians

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New Vaccines

• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal
• HPV
• Future

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Anti-Vaccination Groups

• Immunisation Awareness Society
• Vaccination Alternatives Society
• Homeopaths, Chiropractors Naturopaths

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Media Reporting

• Newspapers
• Radio
• Television
• Internet

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www.vaxnet.org.nz/blog
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Mercury Falling

• Documentary Purchased by TVNZ
• Shoddy Research
• Uncritical Presentation
• No Conclusion
• Parent Reaction

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Forum Reactions

• Mercury Falling last night
• Author
• I was wondering if anyone else saw mercury
  falling on Monday night and what were your
  thoughts on it. My sister rang up during it to
  see if I knew about it. I told her I wouln't mind
  trying it on Jacob to see if it will work and if
  it doesn't work then you haven't lost anything
  but if it works then FANTASTIC.
• posted 0136 PM, August 15, 2006

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• HI, we have been to Mike Godfrey and he is
  excellent. DD is nearly 19 mths and still NOT
  eating much if at all any solids. She also had a
  VERY high level of toxins in her body due to me
  having chemo while preggers. She is slowly being
  detoxed and I can honestly say its great! Dr
  Godfrey is considered "Odd" by the medical
  profession, but he is the one helping us the
  most.
• posted 0509 PM, August 15, 2006

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• i am considering taking my daughter to him esp
  after watching the program last night.
• I would like to go and see Mike Godfrey
• Prices I think from memory was something like
  75 or less. Hes very cheap considering what he
  does.

!
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Other Reactions

• I felt so sorry for the woman
• What a rip-off
• It was a pile of bullcrap
• That doctor took advantage of the woman

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In Conclusion

• Complacency must be fought
• Introduce new vaccines with care
• Deal strongly with alt-med attitudes
• Challenge those within your profession who
  promote snake oil
• Spare no quarter for anti-vaccination groups
• Be proactive with the media

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Blatant Self-Promotion

• I'm running the full adidas Marathon to raise
  money for the National Heart Foundation
• I need your help to make a difference
• Visit my web page to learn more about donating

www.heartracer.org.nz/donate