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WEDNESDAY 03/07/02 15:19:04 | |
| Compulsory vaccination rejected | ||
| The British Medical Association today rejected a call for compulsory childhood immunisation but said it would conduct a review into the pros and cons of mandatory vaccinations for children. | ||
| At its annual representatives meeting in Harrogate, the
BMA debated the issue of compulsory vaccinations for children and
babies. Dr Eddie Coyle, of the Committee for Public Health Medicine and Community Health, said he did not support the mandatory use of vaccinations. But he said it was important to keep abreast of any new developments so he felt the BMA should look at the issue. Dr Ian Robbe, a senior lecturer in public health medicine, opposed the idea of a review into the pros and cons of mandatory childhood immunisation. ``We should respect the rights or people to balance the benefits and harms for themselves.`` ``What respect are we showing for our patients if we support mandatory vaccination?`` he asked. Dr Steve Haijoff, a London public health physician, said the motion being debated called simply for a review by the BMA`s Board of Science into the idea. Dr Bernard Charnley, from Powys, said there would be many objections to mandatory vaccinations but the Board of Science should look at the issue. Sir William Asscher, chairman of the BMA`s Board of Science and Education, said it would conduct a report into the advantages and disadvantages of mandatory vaccinations, however this did not mean it accepted or rejected the idea. |
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