Simon Harris accuses anti-vaccine campaigners of 'scare-mongering'

Health Minister Simon Harris has accused anti-vaccine campaigners of “scare-mongering” that risks the health and possibly the lives of children and adults in need of vital medication care.

Speaking at an Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association information event at the RCPI to mark world immunisation day, Mr Harris insisted the only people who should be giving medical advice are doctors and qualified experts.

He said there has been a growing trend of unqualified groups giving out vaccine misinformation, resulting in low uptakes of the HPV cancer vaccine and treatments for other conditions.