The Immunisation Awareness Society is raising concern about the inadequate level of information provided to the public regarding the whooping cough vaccine.

Auckland, New Zealand, April 11, 2012 -- GIVEN the current push by the Ministry of Health (MoH) for people to get their whooping cough (pertussis) vaccinations, the Immunisation Awareness Society (IAS) is raising concerns about the inadequate level of information provided around vaccination in New Zealand.

The latest figures from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), who are contracted by the MoH, show that 527 cases of whooping cough were reported in the first three months of 2012. Of these 527 cases, 362 had a known vaccination status of which 236 were vaccinated (65%) against whooping cough.

The ESR states on their website that Thirty-three cases had received one dose of vaccine, six cases had received two doses, 52 cases had received three doses, 46 cases had received four doses, and 30 cases reported having completed pertussis vaccination. A further 69 cases reported being vaccinated but no dose information was available. The IAS is questioning why people are being pushed to get a vaccine that is obviously not effective.

Eugenie Kruger, Chairperson of the IAS, is often contacted by individuals who are frustrated that they had fallen ill from the very diseases they were vaccinated against. Unfortunately, it seems the message that the MoH and many doctors are putting out there, is that if you have been vaccinated, you are protected from disease. This is simply untrue, as many people will indeed get the very diseases they have been vaccinated against. In the first three months of 2012, 46 people got whooping cough who had received four doses of the vaccine these figures really speak for themselves says Kruger.

Kruger urges all parents to do their own research into whether vaccination is the best option for their family. We are very fortunate to live in an age where we have access to a wide range of information. People need to take responsibility for their own, and their family health. Find out exactly what ingredients are contained in vaccines, what are the possible side-effects and what are the symptoms for the disease.

The Immunisation Awareness Society is raising concern about the inadequate level of information provided to the public regarding the whooping cough vaccine.

Contact:
Eugenie Kruger
The Immunisation Awareness Society Inc.
P O Box 56 048, Dominion Road
Auckland, New Zealand
09 303 0187
info@ias.org.nz
www.ias.org.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IASNZ

This release was published on openPR.