Parents who dodge vaccinating their kids are pocketing thousands of dollars

PARENTS who refuse to vaccinate their children are pocketing thousands of dollars in federal government immunisation incentives.

immunisation

PARENTS who refuse to vaccinate their children are pocketing thousands of dollars in federal government immunisation incentives.

Opponents to childhood vaccines say it is unfair to be denied federal government cash because of their beliefs, and are exploiting a loophole to claim more than $2000 per child after registering as "conscientious objectors''.

In July, the government scrapped the Maternity Immunisation Allowance - a specific payment to encourage parents to give their kids the jab.

Official objectors, who asked doctors to sign  exemption forms, also demanded and received the payment.

The government has now linked vaccination incentives to Family Tax Benefit A - $2100 to be paid over three "check points'' - once children are fully immunised at ages one, two and five.

While parents have been warned they will lose their payment and the childcare benefit if they do not fully immunise their children, they are also being told exemptions will be given to objectors.

All they have to do to dodge the requirements and receive the money is fill out a form.

Parents of more than 23,000 children were cut off from child care benefit payments between July 2011 to March this year after failing to meet vaccination requirements. None were official objectors.

The exemption forms are available from the Department of Human Services website and require signatures of the parent and a GP.

Senator Nick Xenophon said it was a bizarre policy.

"This is a case of everyone wins a prize. It's a bit like getting the baby bonus without having a baby,'' Senator Xenophon said.

"Anti-vaxers'', as they call themselves, are now joining parenting forums to encourage others not to be bullied by the government and to give tips on how to get objection forms lodged quickly.

If questioned by their doctor, anti-vaccination parents are being told to record their appointment on film or audio device and coached told to say things such as: "I don't see why we should be discriminated against'', and "vaccination is not compulsory in Australia (and) ...  the government has unethically linked to welfare payments''.

A spokeswoman for Families Minister Jenny Macklin did not comment on why parents were getting incentives for not meeting requirements, but said immunisation was essential for the health of children.

"The Australian Government has reformed Australia's childhood immunisation arrangements to increase the immunisation rates of Australian children over time,'' the spokeswoman said.

"These new requirements provide stronger incentives for parents to get their children immunised.''

The Australian Medicare Local Alliance, which represents community GPs, has criticised the changes.