I read the letter to the editor by Danny Andru in the last edition of the Napanee Beaver and commend him on speaking out against the anti-vaccine misinformation being propagated with our local MP Derek Sloan acting as the voice in parliament for this movement. This movement promotes misinformation about immunization that could have a profound effect on our health and survival.
The petition sponsored by Mr. Sloan has stated that the vaccine does not prevent Covid or affect its course and severity. It states that Canadians will be used as guinea pigs during this immunization process. This misinformation is totally false and dangerous. Extremely large double blinded studies done by state of the art scientists have shown the COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccine to be not only very safe, but extremely efficacious, approaching 95 per cent. To control this dreadful Corona virus we must try to establish an immunity rate of at least 70 per cent of our population (herd immunity). Everyone contributes to the cause to protect all Canadians by being vaccinated. Of course everyone has the right to decide for themselves about being vaccinated, but this decision should be made after presenting the potential recipient with truthful scientific data about the risks and benefits of receiving it. Having the patient primed by untruths and misinformation by the highly organized anti-vaccine movement prior to deciding is a disservice to the patient and society.
We have a no more powerful tool in saving millions of lives than our immunization programs. It far surpasses all the modern drugs and surgical procedures in saving lives and at a fraction of the cost.
I find it very disturbing that our federal representative chooses to promote such harmful views. You are correct Mr. Andru when you say you will hold our MP accountable for the harm he has caused when he comes knocking on your door next election. Unfortunately despite Mr. Sloan’s anti vaccine and anti masking promotions, his leader Mr. Erin O’Toole has failed to take any action on repeated occasions and allowed him to continue as a spokesperson for the Conservative party.
Doug Alkenbrack, MD
Napanee