Secret Melbourne cell of anti-vaxxer doctors under investigation
EXCLUSIVE: AN EXPLOSIVE video has emerged of a rebel anti-vaxxer doctor and a colleague boasting of helping 600 families avoid immunisations. At least three doctors are being investigated as part of a probe into claims a secret cell of GPs is operating.
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AT least three Melbourne GPs are being investigated amid claims an underground network of anti-vaccination doctors is secretly helping families duck compulsory immunisations.
The probe comes as an explosive video has emerged of one rebel anti-vaccination doctor and a colleague boasting of helping 600 Melbourne families to avoid immunisations.
Victoria’s Health Department and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency are examining allegations raised about the Melbourne general practitioners who, it is claimed, are offering their services to families opposed to vaccinations.
The GPs include Mitcham’s Dr John Piesse, who spoke out against “no jab no play” regulations relating to childcare, and “no jab no pay” regulations relating to family assistance payments, at a Hawthorn screening of controversial film Vaxxed on August 3.
Dr Piesse told the gathering: “I am a doctor who has been working hard for 18 months to try and help parents get exemption from ‘vaccinated pain for vaccinated play’, with mixed success.
“There are a few loops and hoops, but any doctor who wants to learn about it could contact some of the people in the AVN (Australian Vaccination-skeptics Network) and they could contact the doctor and explain what has to be done,” he said.
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In a video filmed at the Hawthorn screening, which has been posted on an anti-vaccination Facebook account, Dr Piesse says that while it is easier for doctors to get around rules relating to “no jab no play” than those relating to “no jab no pay”, both can be sidestepped.
“I want you to know it is possible to get the exemption,” Dr Piesse told the crowd.
“So there is hope.”
Dr Piesse told the crowd: “You need a doctor’s letter of contrary indication in the right form, provided the doctor has got the qualifications required for ‘no vax no pay’, or is a registered medical practitioner for ‘no vax no play’.
“I was told I didn’t have the (necessary) qualifications, but we managed to extract from them (the Health Department) in writing that, yes, I do have the qualifications,” he said.
“Now they want to know my reasons — I don’t have to give reasons.
“Reason is not required. In fact, it is a good idea not to, because it is only going to attract a lot of arguments, to-ing and fro-ing, questions, and anxiety for the doctor. But so what?”
It is believed the Health Department has now formally notified AHPRA about at least three doctors at inner and eastern suburban practices.
But AHPRA is under fire for taking more than a year to investigate Dr Piesse, who was referred to it by the Health Department in August 2016 after he applied for immunisation exemptions for patients on the grounds that the shots would damage their health.
At the Hawthorn film screening, Dr Piesse’s colleague from the Natural Healing Centre in Mitcham, naturopathic physician Nerida James, also addressed a panel that included US anti-jab radicals Polly Tommey and Suzanne Humphries.
“I have a natural healing centre where Dr Piesse works ... We can support you and we have been supporting about 600 families, thanks to Dr John Piesse,” Dr James said.
Dr James is president of the Church of Scientology’s Melbourne Narconon drug rehabilitation centre.
Victoria’s Acting Health Minister Martin Foley said AHPRA had taken far too long to investigate Dr Piesse.
“It is deeply disappointing and concerning that after 12 months an investigation into Dr Piesse’s practice has not yet been concluded by AHPRA. It’s not good enough,” he said.
“By failing to vaccinate their children, parents are putting their kids and others in our community at risk of terrible diseases or death.
“They must be stopped.”
Medical Board of Australia chairman Dr Joanna Flynn, AM, said the Board and AHPRA could not comment on individuals but expected registered doctors to practise “safely and ethically”.
“The code of conduct notes all medical practitioners have a responsibility to promote the health of the community through disease prevention and control, education, and screening,” she said.
“The Board expects all medical practitioners to meet these obligations, be ethical and trustworthy, and put their patients’ best interests first.”
Dr Piesse and Dr James did not return Herald Sun calls.
Anyone concerned about a registered practitioner can call AHPRA on 1300 419 495
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