Tougher laws to crack down on unvaccinated children in childcare, kindergarten

ANTI-vax families will no longer be able to enrol their children in kindergartens and childcare centres without proof of serious medical conditions under a strict tightening of Victoria’s No Jab No Play laws.

ANTI-vax families will no longer be able to enrol unvaccinated children in kindergartens and childcare centres without proof of serious medical conditions under a strict tightening of Victoria’s No Jab No Play laws.

Loopholes families use to enrol unvaccinated children with the back­ing of sympathetic doctors will be closed after an anti-vax GP network was revealed.

SECRET MELBOURNE CELL OF ANTI-VAXXER DOCTORS

MITCHAM ANTI-VAX DOCTOR SUSPENDED

Victoria is tightening its No Jab No Play laws to ensure children are immunised and protected from life-threatening illnesses.

Legislation being introduced tomorrow by the Andrews Government will mean letters and other documents produced by GPs or other immunisation providers will no longer be accepted as proof of immunisation.

In measures to be phas­ed in next year, only offi­cial immunisation history statements from the Australian Immunisation Register will be accepted as evidence of a medical reason why a child is not immunised.

Parents and childcare centres will also be subjected to regular audits to ensure all enrolments are up to date with the immunisation schedule, with those who miss vaccinations due after they are already enrolled required to catch up or face the prospect of having their enrolment cancelled.

The changes come after the Herald Sun exposed a cell of anti-vax doctors centred on suspended GP Dr John Piesse who were allegedly exploiting gaps in Australia’s vaccination laws.

Mitcham GP John Piesse’s medical registration was suspended amid an investigation into his use of immunisation exemptions. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Health Minister Jill Hennessy is determined to ensure rogue practitioners cannot make false statements about a child’s ability to be immunised.

“We make no apologies for cracking down on rogue doctors who don’t put the health of our community first. The science is crystal clear — vaccinations are safe and save lives,” Ms Hennessy said.

“People who tout misinformation about immunisation are a menace and put the health and safety of children at risk.

“That’s why we want as many children as possible immunised and protected from life-threatening illnesses.”

Victoria achieved its highest ever rate of immunisation coverage last month with almost 95 per cent of five-year-olds now covered, but the new measures are hoped to inc­rease vaccination rates further.

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos said the early childhood sector would be consulted to determine appropriate intervals for making vaccination checks.

KIDS MAY HAVE TO LEAVE KINDER, CHILDCARE OVER DODGY EXEMPTIONS

Under the checks parents need to provide immunisation history statements at regular intervals to verify their child remains up-to-date with the immunisations requirements for their age, while kindergartens and childcare centres will be required to collect the official forms to maintain enrolments.

She said the changes would simplify enrolment processes because they will no longer have to consider a range of range of different documents.

“Our No Jab No Play laws are here to stay and we want them to work even better,” she said.

“Immunising your child not only protects you and your family, but other children in the community. There is no excuse for not immunising your child.”

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