New jab rule slammed as ‘child segregation’ as government refuses to rule out mandates

Critics have pounced on a new vaccine rule being introduced in Victoria, poking holes in the ‘flimsy’ proposal.

Critics have panned a “flimsy” rule giving unvaccinated Victorian high school students an exemption to attend graduations and excursions, but banning them from uniform shops.

Under the exemptions, unvaccinated children between 12 and 15 will be given reprieve from vaccine mandates and be able to attend excursions, camps and graduation ceremonies.

The rule is copping backlash on two fronts - from those who argue it doesn’t go far enough, and those who claim it will cause “segregation”.

“What about uniform shops, bookstores, scouts, basketball, karate, dance classes?” Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick said.

“This dangerous child segregation policy is outrageous and must end immediately.”

Liberal Democrats MP David Limbrick called the mandated “child segregation”.

The Andrews government has refused to rule out more mandates for children after announcing unvaccinated children aged between 12 and 15 would be banned from entering most public venues, including the state’s hospitality venues and major events.

The move would see kids aged between five and 11 subject to a “no jab, no play” system when the vaccine becomes available to children in that age group.

School activities where a teacher is present are exempt, allowing unvaccinated teenagers to attend their own formals and graduation ceremonies.

The government has refused to rule out further strict mandates for children in future.

The mandates have left some parents furious.

In one instance, an unvaccinated 12 year-old girl was reportedly told to try on her school uniform outdoors after a shop denied her entry, despite it being classed as an essential activity.

“My 12 year-old daughter was told she would have to try clothes on the footpath out the front of the store,” Joel Robins said.

“Humiliated.”

A second parent, Helena Denley, said her son’s dance class was stalling going back to to in-person classes because of the issue, with sessions taking place over Zoom instead.

“Devastating for them. Daniel Andrews and Martin Foley, this is enough,” she said.

“Your decisions are mean and punitive and solely to force more people to get vaccinated.”

Victorian children as young as five could soon be on the receiving end of a vaccine mandate.

Health Minister Martin Foley refused to deny Victorian kids would be “locked out” if their parents had hesitations about the vaccine.

“We’ll always consult with childhood health experts and consider the best interests of our children before making any decision,” he said.

“We’re confident we’ll see strong take-up among those aged 5-11 when the commonwealth says it is safe to do so.”

However, Mr Foley told reporters no decisions would be made until the vaccine was deemed safe and effective for children.

The federal government has urged states to ease existing vaccine mandates.

Originally published as New jab rule slammed as ‘child segregation’ as government refuses to rule out mandates