Children who have not been vaccinated will soon be banned from kindergarten as well as childcare, under strict new Victorian government laws.
From January, the laws will remove the “contentious objection” loophole which had enabled parents to reject vaccination because of personal beliefs, 9News reported.
“The only grounds upon which a parent will be able to get access to Victorian childcare centers or kindergartens is on medical grounds,” Health Minister Jill Hennessy said.
“The science is really clear, we need people to vaccinate their children or otherwise all children and other people become at risk of these diseases.”
By the age of four, more than a quarter of a million Victorian children must be immunized against Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps, Polio, Rubella, Tetanus and Pertussis.
There will be a grace period for those disadvantaged families who hold concession cards, or refugees. The state government will give them an extra four months to make sure their children are immunized.
There have been 2,688 cases of whooping cough so far this year - 860 more than a year ago.
Anti-vaccination activists describe the policy as draconian, and there are already plans to set up independent childcare and education facilities for families who want the right to choose.
“It’s very unfair because it’s now doctors making the decision as to whether a child goes to childcare instead of parents making the decision,” anti-vaccination campaigner Wendy Lydall said.
