Immunisation laws in child care - CareforKids.com.au®
NSW no jab no play now in effect
NSW's new immunisation laws came into effect on 1 January 2014 and mean that child care services cannot enrol children unless they are fully immunised or hold an approved exemption.
The new law aims to promote vaccination rates and remind people about the importance of keeping their children's vaccinations up-to-date. Child care providers which fail to meet the new requirements can be fined up to $4000.
The national average for vaccination is 92 per cent however 80,000 Australian kids are not vaccinated and 2013 research by the National Health Performance Authority showed that in some areas of NSW vaccination rates have fallen below 85 per cent, increasing the chances an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.
Australian Medical Association president Steve Hambleton said conscientious objectors are not the target of the new laws:
"It's to target parents who have not got around to it, or who are concerned, and it will compel them to get quality advice from their doctor."
The new laws require child care services to obtain documentation from families before enroling a child. These documents must show that a child:
is fully vaccinated for their age, or;
has a medical reason not to be vaccinated, or;
has a conscientious objection, including religious beliefs, to vaccination or;
is on a recognised catch-up schedule if their child has fallen behind with their vaccinations.
Children who have not been immunised for medical reasons or because their parents/guardians are conscientious objectors are still able to attend child care but they must supply the appropriate documentation signed by a GP or nurse immuniser. Unvaccinated children may also be asked to stay home if there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease in services.
Child care providers are required to keep all the paperwork necessary to demonstrate that every child enrolled in the service has been vaccinated or holds a valid exemption. Services which fail to supply this documentation when required could be fined up to $4000.
