Immunisation

Press, 26 April 1988, Page 16

Immunisation

Sir. —On April 15 1 took my two (children ( to the Boon Hay Community Hall for their hepatitis B vaccinations. I arrived at 8.55 (a.m. and joined a queue of adults and children. At 9.15 a.m. the doors to the jiall were opened and 'the people at the head of the queue holding cardboard boxes entered the hall. I assume they began to set up then — I say assume because I had to leave so cannot say! when the first injection was administered. I expected to queue — that did not concern me— but the list of venues states: Times -j- 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. I feel this should mean injections are ready to be administered at nine. Surely delays such as I experienced could put busy parents off, a matter of some concern to a Health Department worried labout low levels of immunisation.—Yours, etc.. i ROBYN STEWART. April 17, 1988 [The deputy medical officer of health in Christchurch. Dr M. A. Brieseman, : replies: “I would agree that the circumtances at Hobn Hay were such that ini-

tially the facilities were overwhelmed. I would point out that this, however, was the only one of almost 40 venues at which this happened, it would seem as though your ■ correspondent missed some important issues during her [visit there. The earliest staff to arrive were at the venue at 8.20 a.m. and I am informed that the first injection was given at approximately 9.00 a.m. I would reassure your correspondent, and other concerned parents, that we have made and will make! every endeavour to make sure [that the process flows as smoothly as possible.”]

Sir, —Before 1985. donors’ blood and! the resultant blood derivatives! were not screened for the A.LD.S. virus. To remove any possibility of hepatitis B vaccine being contaminated! by the A.1.D.51. virus!, Australia how manufactures and immunises with a hepatitis . B vaccine, derived from yeast. 1 not blood, as is the case with the vaccine available in New Zealand. I would be interested to learn why the'Department. of Health wants: to immunise the children of New Zealand with a second-rate vaccine.—Yours, etc..

WAYNE STUART. April 18,11988; ' i' I < J [The deputy medical officer of health in Christchurch, Dr M. A. Briesemar,! replies: "I would deny that the Children of New Zealand are receiving a ‘secondrate vaccine.’ As has been indicated in ’[The Press." by! the Director-Qeineral of Health (April 21L! blood used forj the production ! of vaccine ; is screened to exclude A.LD.S: suf-

ferers The process to produce the vachine is in three stages, each stage being sufficient to kill the virus. Follow-up of those who have received the vaccine indicates no evidence of transmission of A.LD.S. via the vaccine. Documentation suggests that both types of the available vaccine are of equal efficacy and usefulness."]

Sir. —When the DirectorGeneral of Health, Dr George Salmond, attempts to allay fears about [the vaccination programme, against hepatitis B, as quoted :in Thursday’s issue of "The Press." it is little wonder that some of us remain concerned and question pursuance of our infants' participation. To regard apparent "healthiness" of a donor; as any reassurance with regard to A.LD.S. is asking us to be quite!, naive, and. furthermore, anyone I who has read Masters and Jotrnsons latest book “Crisis” knows that even antibody testing is not ( conclusive. Testing the vaccine on animals bears no relevance to A.LD.S. No mention is made of heat processes reputed, to have been employed to safeguard against H.I.V. infection. [apart from Dr Salmond's reference to the vaccine being madej from "highly purified protein particles" from hepatitis B carriers. What methods of purification are used and how effective are they at eliminating risk? Without further information it is to be expected that many parents, [myself included, will withdraw' their children from the programme. — Yours, etc., r DAVID WYART. April 21. 1988.