THE authorities in Australia are cracking down on parents who refuse or forget to vaccinate their children. Following concerns about pockets of unimmunised children, state and federal governments have taken action to boost vaccination rates.
In the largest state of New South Wales (NSW), children who are not vaccinated may be barred from attending childcare centres amid concerns they could spread diseases. Separately, Queensland state is starting an education campaign targeting rural areas, where vaccination rates are low. The state moves follow the federal government's laws in 2012 to prevent parents of non-vaccinated children from receiving tax breaks of up to A$2,100 (S$2,390) per child.
While the majority of Australian children are immunised - about 92 per cent - there are some communities where anti-vaccination sentiment is strong, and which have rates as low as 43 per cent. Immunisations in Australia are free of charge. The low rates have sparked concerns about the spread of diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella, which have been on the rise in recent years. About half of the 140 cases of measles last year involved unvaccinated children, and a further 35 per cent had unknown vaccination status.
- See more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big...nate-their-kids-20140113#sthash.Wd9TV6ou.dpuf
In the largest state of New South Wales (NSW), children who are not vaccinated may be barred from attending childcare centres amid concerns they could spread diseases. Separately, Queensland state is starting an education campaign targeting rural areas, where vaccination rates are low. The state moves follow the federal government's laws in 2012 to prevent parents of non-vaccinated children from receiving tax breaks of up to A$2,100 (S$2,390) per child.
While the majority of Australian children are immunised - about 92 per cent - there are some communities where anti-vaccination sentiment is strong, and which have rates as low as 43 per cent. Immunisations in Australia are free of charge. The low rates have sparked concerns about the spread of diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella, which have been on the rise in recent years. About half of the 140 cases of measles last year involved unvaccinated children, and a further 35 per cent had unknown vaccination status.
- See more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big...nate-their-kids-20140113#sthash.Wd9TV6ou.dpuf
