"Governments, health authorities and health professionals have a duty of care to communicate all available, relevant information to parents, guardians or children prior to vaccination consent being given," says the ANH.

It wants the term dropped in all communications to the public and press, and has launched a petition that will be delivered to health authorities in Europe and the US.

"The petition is neither pro- nor anti-vaccination. It aims instead to show...the public desire for greater honesty over the communication of scientific knowledge about vaccine safety prior to vaccination consent being given.

"Members of the public, parents and children are generally told by health authorities, doctors or nurses that vaccines are both safe and effective. These views are not supported by the available scientific facts and amount to the public being misled, meaning that consent is often misinformed rather than informed," the ANH says.

To sign the ANH petition, go to: www.change.org/p/centers-for-disease-control-stop-health-authorities-claiming-that-vaccines-are-safe