Medical experts worried after Bryce Cartwright’s wife promotes anti-vaccination on social media

Medical experts have warned that irresponsible social media influencers dishing out spurious health advice online are putting Australian children at serious risk. The warning comes after the wife of a NRL star player publicly promoted her strong anti-vaccination stance.

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Medical experts have warned that irresponsible social media influencers dishing out spurious health advice online are putting Australian children at serious risk.

The warning from the Australian Medical Association about “unnecessary dangers to public health” came after the wife of 24-year-old Gold Coast Titans player, Bryce Cartwright, publicly promoted her strong anti-vaccination stance on Instagram on Tuesday.

Shanelle Cartwright, 20, who is getting ready to give birth to the couple’s second child in coming days, made the series of health admissions, including the fact that none her children would be vaccinated and her belief that “vaccines do not equal immunity” during a recent Q&A on Instagram.

Bryce Cartwright’s partner Shanelle pictured with their son Koa, publicly promoted her strong anti-vaccination stance on social media. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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When asked by another social media user if 13-month-old son Koa had been immunised, she posted that “He’s not vaccinated — none of our babes will be”.

She was then asked about whether the couple’s stance would affect what schools the children could attend.

“They can go to school (so far) ... if the law changes, I’ll home school before I vaccinate,” she replied.

During a Q&A on Instagram, she revealed her son and future kids won’t be vaccinated. Picture: Instagram/@shanellept

Then adding she would home school her kids if the government brought in a law where all kids must be vaccinated to attend school. Picture: Instagram/@shanellept

In response to Cartwright’s posts, where she also claimed she was not going to use nappies for her impending child, AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said: “Unfortunately, some social media influencers pose unnecessary dangers to public health.”

“These influencers often have no formal education in science or health, and are not equipped to provide health-related advice.”

“They are also unaccountable for the advice they provide, which can potentially result in serious illness and even death for those who are unable to be vaccinated.”

Medical experts reiterated vaccinating their kids is important to protect them from a number of diseases. Picture: iStock

Director of National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Professor Kristine Macartney also underlined the importance of vaccinations.

“The immunisation schedule protects against approximately 16 diseases and some of these diseases are still common or prevalent in the community and can cause completely healthy young children long term disability or death.”

In contrast, Prof Macartney praised the amount of parents who did vaccinate their kids. “Vaccination is very well supported in our community and there are very few parents that reject vaccination because they understand that the science is clear and how important it is to prevent serious diseases in children.”

Last year, Australia became effectively safe from polio, measles and rubella, thanks to The Sunday Telegraph’s No Jab, No Play campaign.

Originally published as Medical experts worried after Bryce Cartwright’s wife promotes anti-vaccination on social media