A FUNNY WHEEZE…MUST BE TB

30-09/01-10-2006

As the fight continues to get TB jabs re-introduced, one Birmingham mother went to unusual lengths to get her child immunised.

Regular readers will know the traditional vaccination against tuberculosis (the BCG) normally given to all secondary school pupils, was withdrawn on July 7, 2005 - “a good day to bury bad news” as they say.

Many parents were unaware of the decision, and only got to know about itlater.

Officially the decision was taken because there are doubts about its effectiveness in combatting the illness in later life.

And that might make senseif it had been taken out of circulation altogether - but it wasn't..

Members of so-called “vulnerable” groups - predominantly members of Britain's various Asian communities - still get the jab as a right.

Mavis Hughes, a grandmother from Wednesbury (and also a Tory councillor in Sandwell) thought that wasn't fair, especially at a time when TB rates are on the rise in urban areas, including the West Midlands.

She's taken a petition with more than 2,000 signatures to Downing Street calling for the return of the vaccine.

As an airborne disease which can be transmitted by a cough, TB knows no barriers of colours or creed, so a Birmingham mum - let's call her Debbie -decided to take unilateral action.

When her youngster brought a form home requesting information about the family background in connection with TB, she simply ticked a box saying that her child has a Bangladeshi grandmother.

It was a fib, but it did the trick. The youngster got immunised, while many of school colleagues remained unprotected.

“I do feel bad about it in one way” Debbie told The Stirrer. “Our family are all English, and I don't like telling lies. But if the only way I can protect my kids is to pretend they're part of an Asian family, I'll do it.”

No parent will blame her. The hypocrisy of the current situation is there for all to see.

Given the current epidemic in the illness, we suspect that it's only a matter of time before the TB jabis re-introduced for one and all.

In the meantime, if you want more information, log on towww.tbornottb.co.uk