Anti-vax takes toll

Death of children ‘preventable’

FIFTY-FOUR NSW children have likely died from diseases for which a vaccine was available, and almost half of the deaths over the past decade were considered “preventable”.

There were 23 cases between 2005 and 2014 in which a child’s death was deemed “preventable” or “potentially preventable”, a University of Sydney study reveals. Twelve of those fatalities were due to influenza and five from meningococcal disease – the most common vaccinepreventable illnesses.

Child health experts urged more expectant mums to get their jabs in the wake of the research, conducted for the NSW Ombudsman’s Child Death Review Team.

Coupled with increased uptake of childhood influenza vaccination, maternal vaccination could reduce deaths “particularly from influenza” but also whooping cough.

“An additional 15 deaths would be potentially preventable as of August 2016 due to immunisation recommendation changes including maternal vaccination,” the researchers wrote.

While nine babies aged two months or younger were too young to be vaccinated, it was noted their deaths “may have been preventable through maternal vaccination during pregnancy”.

Labor’s acting health spokeswoman Tania Mihailuk said the state government had allowed the “radical anti-vaxxer movement a free run at influencing mothers”.

“This should never have happened and the government needs to do more to counter the deadly spin of the anti-vaxxers,” Ms Mihailuk said.

Australian Medical Association NSW president Brad Frankum said antivaxxers were partly responsible for the deaths.

“If they convince a single parent not to vaccinate their child due to their false information, they’re culpable in my opinion,” he said.