Canadian Immunization Poster Contest

[Tofu the Geek]

Anyone else get this at school for their grade six child? http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cnic-ccni...stcomp-eng.php

For those that don't want to read the link, it is a contest open to grade six students in Canada. If they want to enter, they are to make a poster about immunization and kids health. The prizes are appealing for a child of that age. The info about the contest is supplied by their public school teacher and the teacher can also download additional material about immunization that they can include in their daily lessons.

DD's teacher photocopied the package she was given about this contest and sent it home with the kids. It includes info on how to incorporate the immunization "theme" into science, math, health, language arts and phys ed. It also includes a story the teacher can read to the class about a man who got polio when he was a boy and how polio has almost been wiped from the whole world because of immunization.

The teacher said something about that even if they don't support it, they might want to create a poster anyway because the prizes are so good. They can win an iPod Touch and a trip to Toronto, digital camera, art supplies, etc.

DD is a good artist and really wants to participate and thought she might just do a poster on keeping yourself healthy. Unfortunately, one of the contest rules is

The poster should show the importance of immunization for kids’ health

and of course if she does something implying immunization isn't necessary or could be damaging, she definitely won't have a chance of winning, and I don't exactly want to make her the lone dissenter in the class (her friends already tell her that if she doesn't get immunized, she'll die ).

If you want to check out previous winning posters, here they are http://www.immunize.ca/en/specific-g...s/contest.aspx

[Deborah]

the sound of one hand clapping

[Ophelia]

Yes, what an awful position to put kids in. If that isn't propaganda, I don't know what is. Are the drug companies paying for time and materials, or are your taxes paying for it?

[Otterella]

Maybe you could encourage your DD to make a poster on the importance of researching the effects of vaccines for yourself, and you can "judge" it and give her a prize? I know it's not the same, but at least she would have the opportunity to express herself creatively.

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by Ophelia

Yes, what an awful position to put kids in. If that isn't propaganda, I don't know what is. Are the drug companies paying for time and materials, or are your taxes paying for it?

It seems like it might be both. The contest is being sponsored by Public Health (Canadian government organization) and another immunization awareness group called the CCIAP. The CCIAP apparently consists of

a partnership of national non-governmental, professional, health, consumer, government and private sector organizations with a specific interest in promoting the understanding and use of vaccines recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

and funding for the CCIAP is provided by:

• In-kind contributions from the member organizations
• Charitable donations to the Canadian Public Health Association
• Publication sales
• Contracts with the Public Health Agency of Canada
• Unrestricted educational grants from GlaxoSmithKline Canada, Merck Frosst Canada, sanofi pasteur Canada, Solvay Pharma and Wyeth Canada

So, the drug companies aren't directly funding the contest, but they do provide educational grants for the CCIAP which is sponsoring the contest along with the government. The government involvement is using our tax dollars.

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by Otterella

Maybe you could encourage your DD to make a poster on the importance of researching the effects of vaccines for yourself, and you can "judge" it and give her a prize? I know it's not the same, but at least she would have the opportunity to express herself creatively.

This is a great idea. I'll talk to DH about a good prize for our "contest". We were going to get her an iPod Touch for Christmas anyway, so maybe we can give it to her early as her prize.

[just_lily]

That site is brutal. I love their FAQS section where they counter each "misconception" about vaccinations with "NOT TRUE!!"

Vaccines cause many harmful side effects, illnesses, and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), not to mention long-term effects we don't even know about. NOT TRUE.

Gee, thanks... I am convinced now!!

I like the idea of suggesting she do a poster about researching vaccines... clearly she won't win the national contest, but might give her class (and teacher) something to think about.

[angie7]

Yuck!

[Tofu the Geek]

I am thinking maybe her poster could give the message "you have a choice about vaccination, educate yourself" (not necessarily in those words). Or maybe "the first defence is a healthy immune system".

[Tofu the Geek]

Bumping to see if any other Canadian parents have received this at school.

[loveyourohana]

Originally Posted by TechnoGranola

This is a great idea. I'll talk to DH about a good prize for our "contest". We were going to get her an iPod Touch for Christmas anyway, so maybe we can give it to her early as her prize.

I think this is worth the iPod Touch! Its a lesson SHE will NEVER forget! I would be at the school complaining if it were me, I think it is very very distasteful!

I would take the time to submit quite a few of those VACCINES ARE CHOICE, DONT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE PROPOGANDA!

[weliveintheforest]

I hate that the winning posters al show vaccines killing germs, or say "immunizations kill germs!". At least teach the kids how they are actually supposed to work!

[Tari Mithrandir]

Originally Posted by weliveintheforest

I hate that the winning posters al show vaccines killing germs, or say "immunizations kill germs!". At least teach the kids how they are actually supposed to work!

Yeah, really