Topic: “Immunisation – a Jewish question? Problems and Solutions?”
Date: Monday 8th May 2017
Venue:
19:00 Buffet Reception G02 Roberts Building Foyer, UCL, London WC1E6BT (entrance from Malet Place)
19:45 Panel Discussion G08 Roberts Building, Sir David Davies Lecture Theatre, UCL, London WC1E6BT
There has been considerable recent publicity about the decline in uptake of the MMR vaccine – and of other immunisations – in the strictly observant London Jewish community.
Several Association members have been involved in this debate; and, at their request, in late 2016 representations were made to the public health authorities about the best way to tackle the problem.
Six months later we are told that progress has been made, and this discussion meeting will provide an opportunity to hear about it, ask questions, and draw lessons for the future.
The topic will be introduced by Dr Tammy Rothenberg (Paediatrician at the Homerton Hospital). She will be followed by Ms Laura Sharpe (Chief Executive of the City and Hackney GP Confederation) who will update on the current situation and on new plans. Rabbi Avraham Pinter, (Chair of the Charedi Jewish Community Health Forum), Dr Joseph Spitzer (a local General Practitioner), and Dr Jonathan Cohen (UCLH Paediatrician, involved particularly in handling infectious diseases) will participate. A visiting Nigerian Public Health Physician, Dr Rilwan Raji (who trained at the Hebrew University School of Public Health, sponsored by the Pears Foundation) will comment on how he handles health promotion questions such as this, albeit in a different context. After questions and answers from the floor, Dr Fiona Sim (Past Association President, and past Chair, Royal Society of Public Health) has agreed to summarise and suggest possible future directions.
Please notify the Association Administrator as soon as possible (e-mail: info@jewishmedicalassociationuk.org) whether or not you will be able to attend.