NRL wife Taylor Winterstein running $200 anti-vax workshops
The wife of an NRL player has revealed her controversial vaccination views as she hosts “informative” talks for parents.
A mum-of-two who has chosen not to vaccinate her kids is now hosting $200 “informative” workshops, teaching other parents about her views on the controversial anti-vax movement.
Taylor Winterstein, wife of NRL player Frank Winterstein, decided not to vaccinate her son Ziggy, 3, and Hendrix, 10 months.
After her own experiences with vaccinations, the WAG claims vaccines cause allergies and parents are being “bullied” by GPs who “pressure” them to give their children vaccinations.
However, she denied claims she’s an anti-vax mum, instead telling The Daily Telegraphshe’s an “ex-vaxxer”.
“If anything, I am an ex-vaxxer and I stand for informed consent, freedom of choice and vaccine injury awareness,” she told the publication.
“Vaccines are not safe and effective for everyone. A ‘one size fits all’ schedule does not fit all bio-individual children, and where there is risk there must always be choice,” she said.
However, the decision to not vaccinate is widely slammed by professionals around the world.
A recent warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO) blamed the anti-vax movement on the recent measles outbreak.
Figures, released by the WHO this month, showed Europe experienced a record number of people impacted by measles in 2018, with experts blaming anti-vaxxer messaging as a main driver behind the spike.
“WHO urges European countries to target their interventions to those places and groups where immunisation gaps persist,” the statement said.
Unvaccinated children are banned from enrolling in preschool in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland under the “no jab, no play” laws.
At a federal level, the Australian government has introduced laws that link immunisations to benefit payments available to families.
If a family does not fully immunise their children up to the age of 19, they will not be able to claim the full amount of family tax benefit or child care benefits, the Department of Human Services states.
Health authorities have also publicly warned anti-vaxxers about the dangers of not protecting against disease.
She’s not the only footy WAG who has defended their decision to not vaccinate their kids, with the wife of NRL football star Bryce Cartwright speaking out about her decision last month.
Shanelle Cartwright, 20, revealed her son Koa hadn’t been immunised, adding none of their future kids — including newborn Naia Eden — would be.
Her revelation received huge attention from parents on either side of the debate.
But some of the strongest criticism accused the couple of putting others — as well as their own family — in danger.
Since news of Taylor’s workshops — which are being hosted around Australia and New Zealand over the next few months — has spread, many have criticised them as a way of “spreading vaccination safety fears”.
Taylor Winterstein doesn't understand the difference between censorship and not indulging pure nonsense. She simply can't comprehend the irrefutable science on vaccination via @dailytelegraph #vaccineswork #nonsensekills
â jane hansen (@janehansen2000) March 11, 2019
If you take medical advice from the untrained, uneducated partner of a footballer, you deserve everything coming your way.
â Chris Cox (@CoxyJindas) March 11, 2019
Your children don't though, and that's what makes people like Taylor Winterstein and Shanelle Cartwright so reprehensible.
These Wags & their Anti-Vax message!
â Mr NoBull ð¦ðº (@Mr_Nobull) March 10, 2019
This one Taylor Winterstein, wife of Sea Eagles forward Frank is charging $200 a head for people to attend her workshop to be informed on Vax dangers.
Her qualifications = ZERO@NRL @SeaEagles pic.twitter.com/A1rlMHpwER
News.com.au has contacted Taylor Winterstein for comment.
What are your thoughts on the anti-vaccination movement? Do you think it should be compulsory for parents to give their kids these jabs? Or do you agree with Taylor’s stance? Let us know below.
Continue the conversation @RebekahScanlan | rebekah.scanlan@news.com.au