Queensland childcare centres can already exclude unvaccinated children

Childcare centres and preschools in Queensland already have the power to exclude unvaccinated children under Palaszczuk Government laws which came into effect on 1 January 2016.

“The laws we introduced last year give kindies and childcare centres the power to exclude children who have not been vaccinated,” Education Minister Kate Jones said.

“They do this by giving childcare centres legal backing should they decide not to accept children who are not fully immunised against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“As a Government, we think these ‘no jab, no play’ rules strike the right balance.”

Minister Dick said the laws were in addition to a number of strategies the Palaszczuk Government had introduced to promote vaccination and protect children, their families and those who work with children against vaccine preventable disease.

“Vaccination is one of the greatest public health measures of the past century and has saved millions of lives around the world,” he said.

“We know that conditions like whooping cough and measles, while usually mild for adults, can have tragic consequences for very young children.

“Our Government has been working hard to improve our already high childhood immunisation rates through programs like Immunise to 95.

“In partnership with the Australian Medical Association Queensland, local councils, GPs and Hospital and Health Services, the Immunise to 95 program contacts families of children who are not up-to-date with their vaccinations and provides information about how they can ensure their child is vaccinated appropriately.

“We have already seen an increase in vaccination rates since these laws have been in play.

“Since the program commenced in late 2015, more than 42,000 families with children aged five years and under who were recorded as overdue for immunisation on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register were called by 13HEALTH.

“The calls help parents to check their child’s immunisation history, remind them about the importance of immunisation and provide options to bring them up to date.

“The most recent coverage results indicate that immunisation rates for one and two year olds are improving.

“The immunisation rates for one year olds improved from 92.0 per cent to 93.5 per cent between the June 2015 and June 2016 quarters.

“Similarly, the rates for two year olds improved from 89.9 per cent to 91.8 per cent for the same period. The immunisation rates for five year olds improved from 92.3 per cent to 92.9 per cent.

“The improvement in rates is a promising sign that Immunise to 95 is working in reminding parents about the importance of timely immunisation and prompting them to immunise their children if necessary.”

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Jones: Emma Clarey 0437 069 516

Minister Dick: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834