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Budget 2017: Canberra’s $15 million plan to boost immunisation

FAMILIES who fail to immunise their children and who do not get their four-year-olds health checked will lose cash from their Family Tax Benefit payments.

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FAMILIES who fail to immunise their children and who do not get a health check on their four-year-olds will lose $28 a fortnight from their Family Tax Benefit payments.

The measure is designed to improve Australia’s immunisation rate but the government is banking on saving $15 million over the next four years as a result of the measure.

The program is expected to deliver a financial hit to anti-vaccination campaigners; however families who forget to immunise their children or get a health check can catch up with their shots and begin claiming the lost family tax benefits immediately.

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The government will also spend $5 million promoting the benefits of immunisation in areas like the far north coast of NSW where large communities refuse to vaccinate their children.

Families who have missed vaccinations and want to catch up will be able to get free catch up jabs under a $14 million program.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/federal-budget/budget-2017-canberras-15-million-plan-to-boost-immunisation/news-story/aee317e85039008952ea4987474a7ff0