Right:The Daily Telegraph left no doubt that it was pro-vaccination, citing the danger to the general population when parents refused to immunise their children.
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Background information
(The following information is taken from the Australian Government's Department of Human Services.
The information can be accessed at http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/australian-childhood-immunisation-register/your-childs-immunisation-schedule)
Australian Childhood Immunisation Schedule
Birth: Hepatitis B
2 months: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hib, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
4 months: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hib, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
6 months: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hib, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
12 months: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hib, Meningococcal C
18 months: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella
4 years: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles (part of the MMR vaccine), Mumps (part of the MMR vaccine), Rubella (part of the MMR vaccine)
Legal status of vaccination in Australia
Currently, vaccination is not compulsory in Australia, so the decision not to vaccinate does not require government registration or justification.
Registering an exemption is voluntary, however, non-vaccinating families eligible, or intending to claim the government benefits linked to childcare or vaccination, are required to register as a conscientious objector or obtain a medical exemption.
Exemptions to vaccination have been more actively pursued in Australia since compliance was linked to receiving government benefits. Exemptions currently cover the following reasons:
1. Personal, philosophical, religious or medical belief that your child should not be immunised.
2. Medical contraindication i.e.; cannot be vaccinated due to high risk of death or serious injury.
Under the Abbott government's new regulations, doctors will be given incentive payments so that parents stick to their children's vaccination schedule, and the one religious exemption to vaccinations will end, as part of a push by the federal government to boost the immunisation rate.
Social services minister Scott Morrison has announced that the only religious group currently able to claim religious exemptions for vaccinations, Christian Scientists, will no longer be able to do so.
Families will still be able to claim exemptions to vaccinations on medical grounds. Mr Morrison has stated, 'This will remain the sole ground for exemption under the Coalition government.'
From 1 January 2016, 'conscientious objection' will be removed as an exemption category for child care payments (Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate) and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement.
Immunisation requirements for the payment of FTB Part A end-of-year supplement will also be extended to include children of all ages. Currently, vaccination status is only checked at ages 1, 2 and 5 years.