Doctors oppose Vaccinations

However, more and more doctors are breaking the mould - a group of doctors, members of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons [AAPS], passed a resolution at their 57th Annual Meeting in St Louis, calling for an end to government-mandated childhood vaccinations. It was passed without a single 'no' vote! [The fact sheet outlining the resolution on mandated vaccines is posted at www.aapsonline.org]

"Our children face the possibility of death or serious long-term adverse effects from mandated vaccines that aren't necessary or that have very limited benefits," said Jane M Orient, MD, the Executive Director of AAPS.

"This is not a vote against vaccines" said Dr Orient. "This resolution only attempts to halt blanket vaccine mandates by government agencies and school districts that give no consideration for the rights of the parents or the individual medical condition of the child."

Forty two US states have mandatory vaccine policies and many children are required to have 22 shots before the first grade. On top of that, as a condition for school attendance, many school districts require vaccination for diseases such as hepatitis B, primarily an adult disease, yet children under 14 are three times more likely to suffer adverse effects [including death], following the hepatitis B vaccine than to catch the disease itself.

Late last year, students in a New York school were sent home from school and told they could not return until they had received hepatitis B vaccinations. Further, parents were threatened by Child Protective Services with possible seizure of their children, based on 'education neglect'.

Here in Australia, children are also treated the same way by lot's of schools. We also threaten to withhold government payments from parents, unless they comply.

"It's obscene to threaten to seize a child just because his parents refuse medical treatment that is obviously unnecessary and perhaps even dangerous." said Dr Orient. "AAPS believes parents, with the advice of their doctors, should make decisions about their children's medical care - not government bureaucrats. This resolution affirms that position." [www.healthmall.com. November 2000]