MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, October 7, 1999

For Immediate Release

Patients Before Profits –

AVN Hosts A Demonstration Against Bribes

In a financial climate where hospitals are cutting back on services, closing beds, or closing down altogether, it seems quite ironic that the government has chosen to offer yet another bribe enticing doctors to force parents to vaccinate.

 A meeting that is openly paid for by one of the most influential vaccine manufacturers, SmithKline Beecham, will inform doctors how by increasing their practice vaccination rate, they can rake in more money.  The meeting, held tonight, Thursday, October 7 at the Ballina Island Motor Inn, will tell doctors the ins and outs of the GPII and ACIR bribes currently offered and the recently established PIP bribe.

 The Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) will be holding a demonstration this evening in front of the Ballina Island Motor Inn.  Members will be coming from as far away as the Gold Coast to tell doctors and vaccine manufacturers that this corrupt behaviour will not be tolerated.  “We will be handing out information to those who attend and asking that doctors do what they have done for centuries – be motivated by care for their patient – not by the profits those patients can bring in.  Our placards will have photographs of children and adults who have been either killed or injured by vaccines.  We will simply ask them to abide by the Hippocratic Oath which they have all sworn – to First, Do No Harm.” says Meryl Dorey, President of the AVN.

 “If doctors were being paid money to spend more time fully informing parents of the benefits and risks of vaccination, we would have no complaints.” Ms Dorey says. “To pay them to coerce and misinform parents, however, is unethical.  No doctor should have a financial interest in a therapy they are supposed to recommend based on the best care for their patient.  The cosy relationship between the medical community and pharmaceutical companies must also cease.  We saw it with the tobacco companies and the drug companies are the same – they are motivated by profits – not by health.”