1)
Two Panels - each panel comprised of three people of their choice. The choice of panelists
for each side needs to be public information for promotion of this event.
2) Each panel will submit 5 questions for the debate by July 15. As soon as the questions are
received, all ten questions will be compiled and forwarded for each panel to review and prepare
to answer at the debate.
3) The Pro-Vaccination Panel will have the opportunity to choose a moderator of their choice.
If the Pro-Vaccination Panel does not have a preference, the mayor of Sandpoint, Paul Graves,
will be asked to perform the function of moderator for the debate.
4) Each panel will be given 3 minutes to answer each question. The moderator will have a stop
watch so all panelists should prepare their answers ahead of time. It is okay to read responses
and cite sources of information.
5) Each question will be alternated between the two panels for their responses. For example,
the odd numbered questions will be answered first by the Pro-Vaccination Panel and second by
the Anti-Mandatory Vaccination Panel. The even numbered questions will be answered first by the
Anti-Mandatory Vaccination Panel and second by the Pro-Vaccination Panel. The order of the
questions will be "shuffled" by the moderator into another order from the order given to each
panel soon after July 15.
6) Inflammatory language, shouting or derogatory comments will not be tolerated. The moderator
will be asked to interrupt and cut-off any panelist who gets out-of-hand and have another
panelist continue answering the question.
7) After the 10 questions are answered by each panel, the moderator will request that the
audience address questions to either panel or both panels. The moderator will be in charge of
selecting from the audience people to ask questions. This will last no longer than 30 minutes
and will also be timed. Each question from the audience must be answered within three minutes,
unless both panels are addressed in which case each panel will have three minutes apiece.
Questions for Community Vaccination Forum - Friday, April 21, 2000
1. Why are Hepatitis B immunizations given to newborns? If the mother tests negative for
Hepatitis B, shouldn't this vaccine be postponed to a later date or not given at all?
2. Is it true that newborns receive 1/2 the adult dose of Hepatitis B vaccine even though
adults are 15 to 25 times the weight of a newborn?
3. Since so many adults and children have reacted adversely from Hepatitis B vaccine, --remember
the class action lawsuit against France's Ministry of Health by 1,200 Hep B vaccine injured
adults and children? -- why is this vaccine still being recommended? Are there other ways to
treat and prevent Hepatitis B?
4. When did chicken pox become a deadly disease? Isn't it better to acquire chicken pox
naturally and have lifetime immunity than to get the varicella vaccine? A friend of mine just
got chicken pox as an adult after watching a neighbor's children who had just received their
varicella shots. Can you explain how this can happen?
5. Is there any connection between autism and the MMR vaccine? Has there ever been a recorded
case of autism among unvaccinated children? This concerns me since the dramatic rise in autism
cases parallels the rise in mandatory innoculations.
6. Thimerosal, a mercury derivative used as a preservative in most vaccines, was banned by the
FDA in all over-the-counter medications. It was not banned in vaccines and was present in all
four strains of the influenza vaccines used this past flu season. This disregard for our
safety concerns me. Can you please address this?
7. Why is the health department so concerned with more of us receiving vaccinations since, if
they work, the vaccinated would be protected from the unvaccinated? If I choose not to
vaccinate my child, our school tells me that my child will not be able to attend school in the
event of an epidemic. Why is this their policy if the vaccinated children are indeed protected?