# Vaccination Rates Increase Since Start of “No Jab, No Pay” Policy

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/news-opinion/politics/vaccination-rates-increase-since-start-of-no-jab-no-pay-policy/
- Published: 2016-11-07T14:00:53+11:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

#### _The Federal Government has revealed that vaccination rates increased since the government’s “No Jab, No Pay policy.”_

Since the policy was introduced on January 1 this year, almost 190,000 children 
who were not fully immunised�are now up to date.

The Federal Government�says the “No Jab, No Pay policy” is working to increase the
number of children vaccinated across Australia.�Under the said policy, children 
must be fully vaccinated, have a valid medical exemption or be on a catch-up schedule
if parents are to continue receiving benefits.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter says the childcare rebates and welfare
payments�suspended for failing to immunise can be reinstated�immediately once their
kids get�immunised.

[⌊Vaccination rates increase since start of no jab no pay policy | stay at home 
mum⌉⌊Vaccination rates increase since start of no jab no pay policy | stay at home
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Mum-of-three Jenni Bate said she ensures that her three kids�were up-to-date with
their vaccinations. “It’s safe, it’s effective. It’s a really good way to protect
our children,” she said.

Yet, despite the progress, over�86,000 families have been sanctioned for not meeting
vaccination requirements around the country, losing childcare rebates in the process.
�Given the sanctions, the Australian government has withheld payments worth a total
$39 million.

Some of the highest immunisation rates were recorded in the ACT, while NSW topped
the table for five-year-old indigenous children with 96.2 per cent coverage.

Mr Porter said the 95 per cent target level was critical to provide what’s known
as herd immunity – when large numbers of individuals are immune to disease, chains
of infection are disrupted, stopping or slowing the spread of disease.

The Australian Medical Association said immunisations were “extremely important”
for children of all ages. “We can’t take the safety and the health of our most vulnerable
for granted,” Dr Tony Bartone said.

Sources:�[Au.news.yahoo.com](https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/33120927/vaccination-rates-rise-in-governments-no-jab-no-pay-policy/#page1)
�and�[Kidspot.com.au](http://www.kidspot.com.au/health/family-health/real-life/vaccination-rates-up-since-no-jab-no-pay-policy-says-federal-government)

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 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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