Referral brokers undermining clinical care
March 8, 2019Health, equity and the curb cut effect
May 7, 2019AMA (NSW) President, Dr Kean-Seng Lim, says an anti-science candidate deciding to run for the Lower House in the already anti-vaxxer-ridden area of Byron Bay is a really bad idea.
“I’m reluctantly speaking out against Tom Barnett and his party, the Involuntary Medications Objectors Party, because I really don’t want to risk giving them more airtime than what they’ve already received.
“However, Queensland media has talked to them and it’s likely they will at least get some support on social media, so it behoves me to say that this party is peddling the worst ideas.
“As I understand things, they mainly oppose vaccination and water fluoridation – both of these things are safe and scientifically proven to improve human health.
“Fluoridation is proven to reduce dental decay and vaccination is proven to immunise people against deadly and contagious diseases.
“These are both good things with minimal side-effects that are very rare.
“You’ll notice that I’m being honest and responsible and telling you that there are potential side-effects to vaccination because that’s what doctors do.
“Side-effects do exist but, as I said, in the rare event they do occur, they tend to be very mild.
“Potential side-effects from actual infection with measles, mumps, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, and other vaccine-preventable diseases include permanent injury and death.
“Anti-science people get too much airtime as it is and I am getting very tired of feeling the need to refute them as often as I do.
“Maybe it would help if someone famous who lived in the area could take a stand on this and help people like me amplify this message and tell the community in Byron Bay that vaccination during a worldwide measles outbreak, for example, is a really good idea.
“That could also help make people like Mr Barnett and his party look like the gooses they are,” Dr Lim said.
Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955