'Peddling lies': Call to tear down anti-vaccination billboards
Western Australia’s Health Minister has called for two new anti-vaccination billboards that have appeared in Perth to be torn down immediately.
The advertisements have gone up within metres of a daycare centre, proposing the controversial question: “Do you know what’s in a vaccine?”
Similar billboards were erected in June and quickly became a target for vandals.
“I’m calling on the local council authorities, I’m calling on the company who sponsors this billboard, to get them down now,” Health Minister Roger Cook said.
“These people are pedalling lies and they must be stopped.”
The Town of Victoria Park says the signs haven’t been given planning approval and so the property owner will need to pull them down within 14 days.
‘I hope she haunts you’: Murder victim’s mother delivers message to killer
Two dead after truck carrying hay for farmers collides with car
The website that the billboard points to claims that vaccinations are killing people – a claim that Mr Cook swiftly refuted.
“The anti-vaxxers are a devious bunch and they’ll use any way they can to try and get their lies out into the community,” he said.
The uproar emerged on a day when the Health Department confirmed another child is in hospital with meningococcal – the 16th case in WA this year.
The child has the W strain and the government is urging parents to take up a free vaccine for children aged one to four.
