Edward Jenner, who pioneered vaccination, and two colleagues (right) seeing off three anti-vaccination opponents, with the dead lying at their feet (1808).
I Cruikshank/Wellcome Images/Wikimedia Commons
Some people have objected to childhood vaccination since it was introduced in the late 1700s. And their reasons sound remarkably familiar to those of anti-vaxxers today.
One Nation senator Pauline Hanson told Insiders: ‘You can have a test on your child first’ before vaccinating.
AAP/Richard Wainwright
Speaking on the ABC program Insiders, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson suggested there are tests available to see if children will have an adverse reaction to vaccinations. We asked three experts.
A nurse administers the HPV vaccine in Dallas, Texas in 2007.
Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters
The plan to withhold payments of child-care and family tax benefits for unvaccinated children could cost non-compliant parents up to A$15,000 a year. But is it ethical to punish parents?
Studies have shown that mentioning misinformation – even in the process of combating it – can cause it to stick in listeners’ minds.
from www.shutterstock.com
Norbert Schwarz, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Eryn Newman, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Studies show that the more familiar we become with false information, the more likely we are to later remember it as fact.
Helping parents decide to immunize their children may be a matter of communication.
frankieleon
As of January 30, 102 people in 14 states were reported to have measles, and most of these cases are tied to the outbreak that began at Disneyland in December. Public health officials are citing an increase…
How many of them are vaccinated?
Henrik Winther Andersen/Shutterstock
The measles outbreak traced back to Disneyland has spread to eight states, with as many as 95 cases reported by January 28. Media outlets are highlighting the rise of anti-vaccination sentiments. Scientists…
A new oral drug could help reduce the spread of measles.
Destinys Agent/Flickr
The National Health Performance Authority’s report on childhood vaccination coverage released this morning shows immunisation rates have slightly increased in 2011-2012. But there are still some areas…
A little bit of pain is a worthwhile price for child health and community well-being.
Sarah Gilbert
Often cited as one of the most important medical breakthroughs in human history, immunisation has been a hallmark of public health interventions for more than 200 years. Globally, an estimated 2.5 million…
Associate Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education, Associate Director of the Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan
