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September 9, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Vaccination Safety Concerns Kiwi Mothers"

Daily News (New Zealand) (www.stuff.co.nz) (09/09/02) P. 2

Due to increasing fears about the safety of vaccinations in New Zealand, 90 percent of infants receive their first vaccination at six weeks, but only 70 percent of toddlers receive their last vaccination at the age of two, according to research done by immunization advisory center director Nikki Turner.  A study of 500 New Zealand mothers concluded that 20 percent believed vaccinations to be unnecessary as long as their children were clean and well fed, while 23 percent of mothers said they received no immunization information prior to the birth of their children.  The study found that there was a limited knowledge about the science of immunization, and immunization was also thought by some to be politically driven.

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