Australian Vaccination-risks Network
The Australian Vaccination Network (AVN), formerly called the Vaccination Awareness Network, is an Australian non-profit organisation registered in New South Wales. It was formed in 1994 by a group of health professionals and parents that believe that one's health can be maintained without any pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines.[1] The group campaigns against mass vaccination programs and promotes the use of homeopathy as an alternative.[2] The group has been called the "stronghold of the anti-vaccination movement" in Australia.[3]
Organisation
The Australian Vaccination Network's mission statement states that it "is dedicated to the idea that health can be achieved and maintained without the use of pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines" and that it seeks to enable people to make informed health choices.[1] AVN is run by Meryl Dorey, who is its president. According to Dorey her eldest son was adversely affected by DPT and MMR vaccines that were administered when he was a child. Dorey disputes that she is part of the anti-vaccine movement and considers herself, "pro-information and pro-choice".[4]
AVN says that vaccines can cause autism, ADHD, brain damage, and cancer.[2] The group argues that vaccines contain a variety of toxins that have no place in the human body.[3] Dorey claims that most doctors "may not know more than the average parent who's read a few articles and a book or two about vaccinations" and thus don't adequately warn patients of the potential risks.[3]
Infectious disease specialist, Professor Peter McIntyre has accused AVN of manipulating research and statistics in order to make its case.[3] "It's been a real characteristic of the anti-vaccine movement ... [to claim] to be looking very extensively at the scientific evidence," says McIntryre, "[but their conclusions are] really a complete misinterpretation."[3] Paediatrician Chris Ingall says that AVN's efforts are "negative, destructive and [have] no scientific basis."[3]
Views on Swine Flu
Meryl Dorey, the president of the AVN, has argued that more testing is needed on the H1N1 vaccine before it is offered to the public. She argues that the vaccine could prove to be more dangerous than the flu itself and that it should not be compulsory for children. She was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as saying that the swine flu should be treated no differently than the seasonal flu and the government shouldn't be spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the H1N1 vaccine.[5] The group's claims were rejected by the Australian Medical Association and other medical experts.[6]
Publications
AVN publishes a quarterly magazine called Informed Voice,[1] and a bimonthly digital magazine called Living Wisdom.[7] The AVN's paid-for memberships also include a quarterly insert called Inside Edition which contains "12 pages of current news from around the world regarding vaccination".[7]
Health Care Complaints Commission complaint
In August 2009, Ken McLeod filed a complaint against AVN with the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission.[2] The complaint, which was supported by the group Australian Skeptics, said that the organisation was in breach of the Health Care Complaints Act because it made "unsubstantiated health claims based on 'conspiracy theories', pseudo-scientific evidence and debunked research." The complaint was also supported by Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith, who earlier had run a national ad in The Australian asking parents to ignore AVN's claims.[8]
The commission agreed to look into the complaint, but a spokesperson admitted that they "did not have power to shut down or gag the Australian Vaccination Network." He left open the possibility of pursuing action against individual members of the AVN or making a public statement against the group's activities.[9] As of November 2009, no official action had been taken.
References
- ^ a b c "About the AVN". Australian Vaccination Network. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- ^ a b c "Vaccine fear campaign investigated". Sydney Morning Herald. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- ^ a b c d e f "Whooping cough deaths spark vaccination debate". ABC News. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- ^ Sunrise Interview with Dr Trevor Mudge and Meryl Dorey, 21 August 2002
- ^ "Lobby group urges more swine flu vaccine tests". ABC News. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- ^ Carmel Egan (20 September 2009). "Vaccine claims rejected". The Age. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
- ^ a b "Join AVN". Australian Vaccination Network. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- ^ Dick Smith pushes immunisation, Macquarie National News, Brunero, Tim. 6 August 2009
- ^ Sarah Colyer (21 August 2009). "Moves to silence anti-vaccine group". Australian Doctor.