Anti-vaccination forms worthless, say medical lawyers

A “LEGAL” document being circulated by anti-vaxxers to help parents evade new “no jab, no play” laws is worthless, according to medical lawyers.

Generic photo of a small child being vaccinated with a needle. Vaccination / vaccine / baby Picture: iStock

A “LEGAL” document being circulated by anti-vaxxers to help parents evade new “no jab, no play” laws is worthless, according to medical lawyers.

Anti-vaccination campaigners have prepared a form that they want doctors and nurses to sign to prove consent for their child’s immunisation is “involuntary” — making it unlawful.

The document, posted on a closed blog shown to the Herald Sun, encourages “immunisation providers” to formally refuse to do their job because they may be “held liable for civil assault and any resultant injury, loss or damage”.

“An (immunisation provider) cannot legally vaccinate the child if the IP is made aware that the parent is not able to provide voluntary consent,” it states.

The idea is that the parent would use this signed document as evidence of medical and legal backing.

However Slater and Gordon medical lawyer Bill Madden said the document had not created a legal loophole: “It’s hard to imagine any sensible doctor would agree to sign that form.”

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The federal and state governments introduced “no jab, no pay” and “no jab, no play” legislation on January 1.

This means children must be immunised to be sent to childcare and kindergarten, and for their parents to be eligible for some Centrelink payments.

The Australian Medical Association’s Victorian president, Dr Tony Bartone, said the new form was “nothing more than a legal manoeuvre which is designed to protect the parents’ financial benefits, but potentially risks their children’s health and the health of other children”.

A State Government spokeswoman said: “We have zero tolerance for people who deliberately refuse to vaccinate their children and think they will be able to get around our tough new laws.”

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