Vaccination rates at every government primary and secondary school would be made public under a new plan put forward by the state opposition.
Liberal leader Matthew Guy said his plan to make the student vaccination rates available online meant parents could see how their local school compares with others.
“Parents should be able to send their children to school with the confidence that their health is not at risk from easily preventable diseases,” Mr Guy said.
“This is a simple, inexpensive and past-time solution.”
His announcement comes hot on the heels of a state government policy that makes it mandatory for young children to be vaccinated prior to enrolment.
The no jab, no play law requires all Victorian children to hand over their immunisation records in order to be enrolled in childcare and kindergarten, unless they have a medical reason not to comply.
Education Minister James Merlino said the law is important to ensure the health and safety of all school kids.
“The scientific evidence is crystal clear – vaccines are safe and there is simply no excuse for not immunising your child,” Mr Merlino said. “It’s critical that parents make sure their child’s vaccinations are up to date – and this campaign will provide an important reminder.”
Currently, 93.5 per cent of Victorian children under five are fully immunised, however research shows that roughly 25 per cent of people still have concerns about side-effects of vaccines.
