I was asked to analyse some documents relating to the debate on the meningococcal B vaccination programme. What unfolded is a tale of pseudo-science. Ideological belief systems, medical politics, false statements, misrepresentations, hyperbole, and downright deceit…. and that’s the good news!
I was asked to analyse some documents relating to the debate on the meningococcal B vaccination programme. What unfolded is a tale of pseudo-science. Ideological belief systems, medical politics, false statements, misrepresentations, hyperbole, and downright deceit…. and that’s the good news!
In announcing the licensing of the MeNZBTM vaccine via the fast-track loophole in the Medicines Act, the Minister of Health stated: “The epidemic has shown no signs of abating.”1 Analysis of the Ministry of Health’s own weekly reports on meningococcal disease reveals, at the time of making that statement, there had been a 50 per cent decline in the number of meningococcal B cases reported since the peak in 2001, and a 70-80 per cent decline in total deaths. How could an honest minister let such an important (false) statement slip through?