THE Abbott government’s tough stance on the small number of people in the community who object to having their children immunised is welcome.
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Under the new rules, parents who do not allow their children to be vaccinated will forfeit their childcare and family tax payments.
According to the most up to date figures 90.6 per cent of one-year-olds and just over 87 per cent of two-year-olds are fully immunised. Just over 92 per cent of five-year-olds are up to date.
That leaves about 40,000 or so children in Australia who are not vaccinated because of the beliefs of their parents and that means 40,000 children who, because of their parents, are susceptible to dangerous, but entirely preventable diseases.
The government’s bid to rein-in those parents is aimed at lifting the country’s vaccination rates to where they should be at 100 per cent.
A fully vaccinated population improves the entire community’s immunity and saves lives.
There is no logical reason for any parent to refuse to have their child vaccinated.
It is dangerous, selfish, irresponsible and archaic.
Hitting recalcitrant families in the hip pocket will have some effect, but won’t solve the problem overall given that data indicates that many of the objectors come from affluent backgrounds.
It is no longer acceptable for us to take a relaxed attitude to vaccination for children, based on some hippy-style beliefs about what’s best for our children.
There is no argument. Vaccination is proven. It prevents infectious diseases that kill children and we are fortunate to have universal access to it, unlike many impoverished nations around the world.
Supported by government, ordinary Australians must stand up for a healthier community because it is a community responsibility.
This is a bold and necessary step forward in public health policy by the Coalition and should win bipartisan support from the other side of the house.