Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill says a proposed visit from the Australian Vaccination risks Network (AVN) to use local public land to disseminate “dangerous misinformation” about vaccinations is unwelcome and will be refused by the Council.
Mayor Greenhill (pictured) said previous resolutions of Blue Mountains City Council, in July and October 2020, relating to anti-vaccination groups still stand.
At the July Ordinary Council Meeting, Mayor Greenhill moved a Matter of Urgency Mayoral Matter of Urgency stating that the AVN will not be given permission to park their tour bus on any public lands or hire any Council-owned assets.
“The so called ‘VaxXed Bus’ originated in the United States as an echo chamber of misinformation about disease control and made its way to Australian shores right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Mayor said.
“Let’s be clear, they do not speak with medical authority, and their views are not based in scientific fact. Some may argue that this is about free speech, well I and the Council say its about public health. And when the health of our community is on the line, we defer to science and bona fide experts.
“The height of the COVID-19 pandemic may be behind us, but that virus still plagues our communities and can still be devastating to those it impacts.
“We’re also in the midst of flu season and the data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) shows that vaccination rates have fallen again this year, and are particularly concerning in high-risk age groups. We know that fewer vaccinated people mean the virus spreads more easily and more people have severe complications.
“All the while we watch the rise of previously irradicated deadly, and entirely preventable, diseases around the world.
“Now is not the time to muddy the waters with misinformation and scare tactics and so we will not allow the AVN or anyone to use public lands to disseminate misinformation,” he said.
The Matter of Urgency taken to the July Council Meeting passed with a unanimous vote. It stated that the Council notes that:
- NSW Health is the agency responsible for public health;
- NSW Health provide information on their website about why vaccinations are important;
- The Blue Mountains community is a vulnerable community with an ageing population;
- The efficacy of vaccinations and the science of public health management is well researched and documented;
- The Vaxxed Bus originated in the United States as an echo chamber of misinformation about disease control in the US;
- The Vaxxed Bus started in Australia in 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic;
- Previous attempts by the organisers of the Vaxxed Bus to spread misinformation to the Blue Mountains community using Council owned land have been refused;
- The Vaxxed Bus is currently advertising that they plan to visit the Blue Mountains;
- The Council endorses the decision that the Vaxxed Bus will not be given permission to use or hire any land or assets belonging to Council.
“I believe any request by anti-vaccination groups to hold events in the Blue Mountains should be refused,” Mayor Greenhill said.
