Consumer Council seeks safeguards on compulsory vaccinations

The Consumer Council of Fiji has urged Parliament to ensure compulsory vaccinations and medical treatment under the Public Health Amendment Bill can only be ordered when supported by scientific evidence.

Consumer Council chief executive officer Seema Shandil made the submission before the Standing Committee on Social Affairs on Friday, warning that the bill, as drafted, gives the Head of Environmental Health broad powers to order compulsory examinations, vaccinations and medical treatment without requiring evidence to justify such decisions.

"How can you make such an important decision on beliefs?" Ms Shandil said.

"We need some scientific evidence."

She told the committee that such powers engage fundamental rights to liberty and bodily integrity and should only be exercised during a declared public health emergency, rather than as a routine enforcement measure.

The Consumer Council recommended that any compulsory examination, vaccination or treatment be necessary, supported by reasonable scientific evidence, proportionate to the risk involved and subject to an independent review mechanism.

The Public Health Amendment Bill, which is currently before Parliament, seeks to modernise Fiji's public health laws, some of which date back to 1935.

Deputy chairperson Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure and committee members Parveen Bala and Viam Pillay heard the submission alongside representatives from the Ministry of Health.

The Consumer Council said its recommendations were intended to strengthen the bill through greater fairness, transparency and accountability, rather than weaken the powers it contains.

The committee is expected to consider the submissions before reporting back to Parliament.