Victoria vaccine laws: no jab, no play laws strengthened

CHILDREN’S vaccinations must be current before they return to care centres as the Victorian government toughens its mandatory vaccination laws.

PARENTS are being reminded to make sure their children are fully immunised before returning to Victorian childcare centres and schools following a strengthening of the state’s No Jab No Play laws.

Unless families have an approved exemption, all children must be up to date with vaccinations to attend early childhood and care services under Victorian laws.

VICTORIA CRACKS DOWN ON ANTI-VAXXERS WITH TOUGH NEW LEGISLATION

KINDER KIDS WITH SUSPECT VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS IDENTIFIED IN DR JOHN PIESSE PROBE

Children must be up to date with vaccinations to attend care services under Victorian law. Picture: iStock

Following revelations of an alleged cell of anti-vax doctors operating in Melbourne, the Andrews Government tightened exemption regulations so that only Immunisation History Statements from the Australian Immunisation Register will now be accepted when enrolling in childcare or kindergarten.

With children about to return from summer holidays, health minister Jill Hennessy said kindergartens were leading the way in immunising children.

“We are cracking down on rogue practitioners who put the health and safety of children at risk with their lies. There is just simply no excuse not to immunise your child — conscientious objection is not a valid exemption,” she said.

Under the No Jab No Play laws, the state’s immunisation rates have increased from 92.5 per cent of children under five to 94.9 per cent.

The Government’s VaxOnTime smartphone app has now been downloaded almost 30,000 times to provide reminders of a child’s immunisation status.
To download the app visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/immunisation.