Release: Is it informed consent or a jab in ignorance?

Te Tai Tonga candidate for the Maori Party, Rahui Katene Thursday 24 July 2008

The Maori Party candidate for Te Tai Tonga is demanding that the Labour Government front up to the people over the failures of the MeNZB vaccine to protect our children.

"Four years after the MeNZB vaccination programme started we find out that the vaccine only lasts for six months," said Rahui Katene. "It does not provide life time immunity."

"This is a scandal! Who is responsible for misleading us like this? Why did they use an unreliable vaccine? How long have they known that it is unreliable? And why have they not warned us that our kids are still at risk?

"At four months old, soon after she had her first MeNZB shot my eldest grand-daughter fell ill with meningitis. It was caused by a bacteria called haemophilus influenza type B. She nearly died. She was in hospital for six weeks.

"Two weeks after she came home, she was back in hospital with meningitis again. This time it was caused by a pneumococcal bacteria. Again she nearly died. She had to stay in hospital for two weeks this time. She still suffers from complications of those illnesses”.

"As a result she has been vaccinated against all forms of meningitis possible, as well as the normal childhood illnesses. Our whanau make sure all our babies have all their vaccinations. We encouraged other families to have the MeNZB. We know how important it is to keep our babies safe and healthy.

"As parents and grandparents we trust our health system to keep our babies safe.

"On behalf of my whanau and all whanau in Te Tai Tonga, I call on the government to stop hiding and answer our questions."

ENDS

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