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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE IMMUNISATION AWARENESS SOCIETY INC., NZ


The Proposed Meningitis B Vaccine


The Immunisation Awareness Society (IAS) is concerned about Ministry of Health (MoH) proposals to introduce a meningitis B vaccine to the vaccination schedule. The meningitis vaccine will be added to the 28 vaccines for nine diseases that New Zealand children are already expected to receive by the time they start school. The government is planning to spend $100 million of NZ tax-payer¹s money on developing the vaccine and intends to begin testing on adults and children this year. The total price tag is likely to be somewhat more when the cost of producing, promoting and administering the vaccine are included. The MoH intends that all people under 20 years of age will be vaccinated within five years.



All vaccines have side-effects, varying from mild and localised pain through to lifelong illness and disablement and sometimes death. No vaccine is 100% effective and many have efficacy rates of only 70 ­ 80 %; any meningitis vaccine is likely to have the same problems.  Long-term side effects can often gradually appear after many months, which is after the incubation time for reporting adverse side-effects; this can prove to be extremely difficult in sourcing compensation through the legal system for a clearly vaccine-related permanent disability.  



Between 20 and 50% of people carry the bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis in their throats, yet only a very small percentage of these people develop the disease.  Research last year by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Auckland Health Protection Service, and the University of Auckland, found that poverty and overcrowding were significant risk factors for developing the disease.   By adding another vaccine to the already 28 in the child¹s schedule can only weaken their immune system further, making the child more susceptible to catching even the mildest of everyday illnesses.



The IAS believes that the $100 million plus would be better spent on prevention of the disease. That is, addressing the social issues that represent risk factors (poverty, overcrowding and poor nutrition) and undertaking further research into what predisposes some people to develop meningococcal meningitis and not others. By reducing the effects of poverty, improving living conditions and nutrition in many families in New Zealand, not only will the rate of meningitis be reduced, but there will be an overall improvement in the health of many New Zealanders, particularly children.



The Immunisation Awareness Society would like to see the following questions answered and made available to the public before spending New Zealand tax dollars in endorsing a meningitis B vaccine:

1. What action is being taken to reduce the overcrowded housing in low-socioeconomic areas;
2. How long are the individuals in the vaccine trials being monitored for side-effects before being satisfied that the vaccine is completely safe for the people of New Zealand;
3. In-depth statistics of those children which have contracted meningococcal meningitis over the last eleven years; including their health and vaccination status at the time.
4. What percentage of New Zealanders agree with spending that amount of money on this project?

For more information about the Immunisation Awareness Society Inc., visit http://www.ias.org.nz  or phone us on 09 303 0187.


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