Should New Zealand follow Australia's ‘No jab, no pay’ programme? (Photo: Getty)

Vaccinologist: NZ can do better than Australia's 'draconian' vaccination policy

Publish Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2018, 9:30AM

Australia have made a bold move regarding vaccination, but could it actually work.

The government have begun fining parents $30 a fortnight, by holding back family support payments for beneficiaries if their child isn't vaccinated.

It is part of the government's ‘No jab, no pay’ programme and will affect tens of thousands. There are 40,000 Aussie children under seven who have not been vaccinated because their parents refuse.

So the question is - should we follow suit?

Vaccinologist, Helen Petousis-Harris, says she believes there are better ways of encouraging high vaccination rates other than attempting to be financially forceful.

LISTEN ABOVE AS HELEN PETOUSIS-HARRIS TALKS TO MIKE HOSKING