In 2016, a survey found that when it came to vaccines, France was the most sceptical country in the world, with a whooping 41% of respondents disagreeing with the statement, ‘vaccines are safe.’
The global average of anti-vaxxers sits at13% according to same study.
Now, in a surprising move sure to divide parents the world over, France will be making the vaccination process a legal obligation from 2018.
The Prime Minister of France, Edouard Philippe, announced the intentions this week, following an ongoing measles epidemic taking place in the country. Sadly, since 2008 France has recorded ten thought to be avoidable deaths related to cases of measles.
Sadder still is that the measles vaccination is widely and easily available.
As of 2017, only diphtheria, tetanus, and polio are compulsory in France. The new policy will see measles, hepatitis B, influenza, whooping cough, mumps, rubella, pneumonia, and meningitis C vaccinations included as a legal obligation for parents.
France’s Minister of Health, Agnès Buzyn explained the plans to Le Parisien
“Today, only three infant vaccines are compulsory (diphtheria, tetanus, and polio). This poses a real public health problem,” Buzyn told the French newspaper.
“Today, in France, measles reappears. It is not tolerable that children die from it: 10 have died since 2008. Since this vaccine is only recommended and not mandatory, the coverage rate is 75 percent, whereas it should be 95 percent to prevent this epidemic. We have the same problem with meningitis.”
In Australia, in May of this year, the Government introduced the No Jab No Play policy, seeing parents refusing to vaccinate their children fined a one-off $726 supplement.
Now, new reforms could see anti-vaxxing families lose as much as $28 per child a fortnight as the Turnbull Government closes in on a loophole in the Family Tax Benefit scheme.
It is believed that the No Jab No Pay policy, due to roll out next year, will apply to 1.5million Australian families, with around 134,000 of those families ineligible for because they have failed to have their children vaccinated.
A survey in March this year also found healthcare providers are allegedly turning away one in six kids whose needles aren’t up to date.
The same study also found that early three quarters of parents across Australia support the ‘No Jab, No Play’ policy, believing children who are not up-to-date with vaccines should be refused access to child care or kindergarten.
For more information about the vaccinations your child is required to have, book an appointment with a trusted GP.
