Australian Government Cracks Down On Anti-Vaxxers

[vladimpaler]

www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-government-withdraws-childcare-payments-for-antivaccination-parents-20150412-1mj837.html

Anti-vaxxers to have child benefits withdrawn unless they vaccinate. A brave move by the Australian Government.

It's a terrible idea. Many people who are considered 'pro-vac' think so too. Only people who can afford not to vaccinate can have freedom of choice? I wonder what sort of compensation program they have for vaccine injuries.

Iirc history has shown that making vaccines compulsory actually has a negative effect.

There is no such scheme in Australia, Bumblemummy. I read in a major newspaper here today that vaccine coverage in Oz is extremely high, 97%. There is a big issue with whooping cough here, but that's because the vaccine is inadequate, not because of poor vax uptake. I could imagine scenarios where government coercion might be warranted, but this smacks of political opportunism.

This news item took me a bit by surprise as I thought the system as described was pretty much already in place. So it's political opportunism, at least in the sense of making a big announcement about an existing principle in policy making.

It looks as if the 'conscience' as pact for exemptions is going to be far more closely examined (so longstanding JWs might still qualify, but those who cannot demonstrate similar active affiliations won't), with aim of getting the number of exemptions back to the level it was a few years ago.

They are closing the consciences objector loophole.

At the moment you don't get childcare rebates if your dc aren't vaccinated unless you fill the form.

When I put my dd in childcare I wasn't entitled to,the rebate as she had not had the chicken pox vaccine. She'd had the chicken pox though so I didn't get her vaccinated and I filled in the form. It was a bit of a hoo haa though and it still comes up from time to time.

When there is an outbreak of anything at school I get a letter to tell me to keep her off.

That's interesting Savoy. I wonder will they still allow children who have already had a disease to not have the vaccine.

It's a witch Hunt to me.