ABC News
05/04/2010
There is widespread support for the State Government’s decision to launch an enquiry into the Health Department’s handling of the flu vaccination program.
The program was suspended last month after hundreds of West Australian children under the age of five experienced severe adverse reactions.
The executive director of the Health Consumers Association Michele Kosky says the review should determine if the department acted quickly enough.
“My intuitive sense is that there was a delay and that didn’t assist parents anxiety, that’s only intuition.
I’d like to see the evidence that will be uncovered in the review.
The president of the Australian Medical Association in WA Gary Geelhoed believes the department’s reaction time was acceptable.
“There has got to be a balance between reacting appropriately when there are problems but not jumping in too soon.
Dr Geelhoed says the review is a good idea, however, to determine if processes can be improved.
“It’s really trying to balance you know between jumping too early if you think there may be a problem and leaving it too late as it were.
“So we look forward to see what the findings are.”
Michele Kosky hopes the review will improve the Health Department’s reporting of health risks.
“I’d like to see improvements in the reporting mechanisms.”