CONSPIRACY THEORIES

The Williams family based their decision not to immunise on these myths:

Vaccines cause autism Numerous studies have widely disproved there is any link between autism and the MMR vaccine. The original findings in 1998 led to a global health scare. The study’s author has since been found to have manipulated evidence.

Vaccines will overload the infant’s immune system

The immune system can deal with a large number of different antigens.

Vaccines contact mercury New Zealand phased out all vaccines containing the concerned mercury preservative, thiomersal.

Natural immunity is better than vaccine-induced immunity

Both immunities are protective. Those who contract the disease risk death or disability.

A healthy lifestyle will protect children from disease

Only immunisation will protect the child from potentially serious infections. Source: Ministry of Health, immunisation handbook

Main photo: John Selkirk/fairfax NZ Wakeup call: Ian Williams says he and his wife’s reliance on ‘‘intuition and feelings’’ put their son Alijah at death’s door suffering from tetanus. MYTH: FACT: MYTH: FACT: MYTH: FACT: MYTH: FACT: MYTH: FACT: