Share this:
The Australian Academy of Science has published a comprehensive booklet in an effort to dispel common myths about the immunisation of children.
Devised by a national panel of experts in response to confusion created by contradictory information in the public domain, The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers booklet was written by the nation’s top immunologists and explains the latest immunology science in accessible language.
Based on a series of key questions, the publication aims to increase awareness of the science upon which public and personal health policy decisions responses should be based.
Questions answered in The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers include:
- What is immunisation?
- What is in a vaccine?
- Who benefits from vaccines?
- Are vaccines safe?
- How are vaccines shown to be safe?
- What does the future hold for vaccination?
The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers was prepared by a Working Group overseen by Professor Tony Basten and Professor Ian Frazer, and an Oversight Committee chaired by Sir Gus Nossal.
President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Suzanne Cory, urged all parents to use the booklet as an aid to making crucial decisions about their children’s health.
“The Academy is strongly committed to ensuring that every Australian has the opportunity to understand scientific issues and base their decisions on the best available evidence,” Professor Cory said. “That’s why we brought together some of the best researchers in the field in Australia to develop a document written as simply as possible, and which is thorough and scientifically rigorous.”
“This booklet will enhance understanding of how immunisation provides protection from infectious diseases and the underlying benefits and risks of immunisation,” she said.
The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers is published with financial support from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and is available for free download from www.science.org.au/immunisation.html