By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
A MELTON politician has joined the immunisation debate and called for mandatory legislation requiring children to be fully immunised before they receive a childcare placement.
Melton MP Don Nardella has put his support behind the Labor Government’s proposal to introduce legislation requiring children to be fully immunised before they can enrol in childcare in an attempt to boost vaccination rates across the community.
The ‘No Jab, No Play’ policy at child care centres will require parents to provide an immunisation status certificate which states their child is fully immunised for their age. This will require an amendment to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
“Children who are not fully immunised will not be able to enrol in child care unless they have an approved exemption for a medical reason or their parents have a conscientious objection,” Mr Nardella said.
“To receive this exemption, parents must receive counselling from a medical practitioner and state they have been advised of the risks of not immunising their child.”
Mr Nardella said parents who refuse to vaccinate their child place not only their child at risk, but other children at risk also.
He said if the proposed legislation is passed, childcare centres would be required to turn away children that are not vaccinated or face a fine.
Leader of the Opposition Daniel Andrews cautioned parents to think wisely before making the decision not to immunise their child.
“People are entitled to their opinions, but not when they endanger the health and safety of a child,” Mr Andrews said.
