Controversial film screening in Tauranga

Rialto Cinema will be screening a controversial film tonight. File photo.

A controversial film about vaccinations will be screening at Rialto Cinema in Tauranga tonight.

Vaxxed: From Cover-up to Catastrophe drew condemnation earlier this month from health professionals who disagreed with the film's message.

BOP Environment Health Clinic manager and screening organiser Truly Godfrey says the film proposes a link between vaccines and autism and suggests a cover-up by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

'So far there has been no legal action taken by the officials accused of doctoring the data, which suggests that there is some truth to the allegations,” says Truly.

She says the documentary is ‘definitely emotive'.

'It's hard to not see some kind of connection when happy, engaged children are seen playing and interacting before being vaccinated, and empty and withdrawn afterwards.”

She says it's the first time a theatre has been willing to be advertised as a venue.

'There's been a lot of controversy around the film – it's a topic that tends to polarise people. What has happened around the world previously is that pressure has come on to theatres to pull it from their listings. Almost everywhere it's tried to come out with the venue notified publicly, there's been inordinate amounts of pressure and intimidation.

'But this is New Zealand. Surely we can handle different opinions?”

Generally, however, the medical profession supports vaccination/immunisation as an effective means of eradicating dangerous diseases.

The Bay of Plenty DHB website calls immunisation ‘one of the most effective ways of protecting and improving the health of the population'.

'This remains as true today as it has been over the last century. Improving living conditions and health services can reduce the impact of infectious diseases; only immunisation can eradicate them, examples are the eradication of smallpox and significant progress in eradicating polio.”

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1 comment

No Controversy..

Posted on 23-04-2017 13:04 | By GreertonCynic

Just FACTS. The "anti vaxxers" whole premise has been debunked so many times. By so many independent studies.


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