I refer to your recent report, correspondence and editorial regarding the swine flu vaccine.

I agree that a person’s request for anonymity should be respected provided the issue in question is one that is of a strictly personal nature or possibly one where his or her personal security is at risk but when it is a medical doctor talking on a public health matter, anonymity has no place at all.

If the medical practitioner refuses to make his or her identity known, then s/he should refrain from making his/her opinion known less so allow his views to be published, aided by an over-zealous journalist.

I am dumbfounded at the fact that the medical health authorities should keep mum.

Dr Mark Bugeja MD MMCFD

Pembroke