www.rotarydownunder.org
9
TIME FOR NO-FAuLT VACCINATION COMPENSATION
David Isaacs, Professor of Paediatric
Infectious Diseases at the University
of Sydney, NSW, has called for the
introduction of compensation for those
who suffer a serious adverse reaction
to vaccination.
"Australia is proud of its principle of
giving people a `fair go'. It seems only
fair someone injured by a vaccine, which
has been offered and accepted in good
faith to benefit the community, should
be compensated by that community,"
said Professor Isaacs. "It's certainly a
better solution than having people not
immunise their children and so expose
the whole community to a virus."
Professor Isaacs' suggestion follows
an international seminar at the
University of Sydney where Marie
Bismark, a researcher in public health
originally from New Zealand, described
the successful operation of no-fault
compensation schemes in her country.
There was unanimous support for
such a scheme from all attendees.
"In fact 19 countries around the
world have accepted that society owes
a duty of care, or gratitude, to the very
few individuals damaged by a vaccine
and have introduced no-fault vaccine
compensation schemes," said Marie.
"Germany has had such a scheme for
50 years. The United States, Britain and
most other European countries all have
compensation schemes in place."
"Serious adverse events are much
more common as an outcome of a
natural disease, but in those very rare
cases where they are a result of a vaccine,
compensation should be available," said
Professor Isaacs.
"Is it fair that a family suffers
because their child was inadvertently
injured, through nobody's fault, by a
vaccine sanctioned and paid for by the
Australian community?"
Overseas schemes cost relatively little
and are funded by one of four methods:
· a vaccine tax
· special funding for the scheme from
general taxes
· industry contribution
· compensation as part of a broader
national compensation scheme
For more information contact Verity
Leatherdale on 02 9351 4312, 0403 067
342 or email verity.leatherdale@sydney.
edu.au
fun run registrations now open
The Rotary Club of Manly Sunrise welcomes participants
to the third Manly Scenic Fun Run & Walk on May 20
at 8am. This year's race will kick off from a different
location, with the race starting and finishing on the
Corso in Manly.
The event consists of a 10km, 5km and 2km run and
an 8km, 5km and 2 km walk.
There will be two $1000 team prizes on offer, while
$500 will be awarded to the individual who raises the
most for their charity/organisation.
All funds raised go to local charities and Rotary
humanitarian projects.
To register, sponsor or donate go to www.manlyfunrun.
org and click on the "register now" tab.
neWS BulletIn
www.rotarydownunder.org
9
New Zealand, the United States, Britain and most other European countries all have compensation schemes in
place for those who suffer a serious adverse reaction to vaccination. Is it time for Australia to follow suit?