I refer to Dr. Parker’s response “Anti-vaccine letter harmful” (November 23) to Ms. Craig’s letter “Flu shot picture doesn’t help” (November 21).
Dr. Parker’s letter contains no facts in the form of hard data and relies heavily on a “believe your doctor, he knows best” style of approach. The letter Dr. Parker refers to, that was written by eight BC Medical Health Officers, is more factual but almost completely lacking in numerical detail.
It is not good enough just to say flu shots have been associated with an increase in some desirable outcome, because the size of that improvement is vital information. Even tiny improvements, e.g. one per cent or less, will be highly significant statistically if the sample size is big enough, so hard facts and figures are needed for people to be able to form a proper opinion on this important subject.
I would suggest Dr. Parker write again, this time giving a detailed, point by point refutation of Mr.Craig’s information which otherwise remains unchallenged.
Keith Newberry
Slocan