AMA submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Social Services Legislation Amendment (No Jab, No Pay) Bill 2015

The AMA is a strong advocate of routine infant and child immunisation.  It is a proven, cost effective public health measure that reduces the spread of communicable disease.  While overall immunisation rates are relatively high the numbers of infants and children that are not immunised is still a concern.  The Social Services Legislation Amendment (No Jab, No Pay) Bill 2015 removes an exception that allowed parents to continue accessing a number of Government payments that were intended to be dependent on children being up to date with their immunisations.  As a result parents may reconsider their decision to not immunise their child.