TWO Jimboomba doctors have thrown their support behind a decision to deny welfare to parents who do not vaccinate their children.
Dr Sean Grimes and Dr Sanaz Hejazi from Medicross Jimboomba hope the move will encourage more parents to vaccinate, saying those who do not put children in danger.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Sunday confirmed his government would scrap a "conscientious objection" provision that allows anti-vaccination parents to claim benefits including childcare assistance and Family Tax Benefit A.
The "no jab, no pay" policy, which will deny families payments of up to $15,000 per child, are expected to save the government about $50 million a year.
Dr Grimes said the government's stance was proof of how important vaccination was.
"There is overwhelming evidence in support of vaccination. It is so important the government pays for it... and they don't pay for much," he said.
He said he believed families that did not vaccinate should not only be denied welfare but the right to send their children to state schools and to use public transport.
"Non-vaccinated children are a risk to others, especially people who are immunocompromised," he said.
"Penalising children for the misguided beliefs of their parents is not ideal but it might be the only thing that works."
Dr Hejazi said vaccination should be compulsory.
"I really agree (it should be compulsory) firstly because it prevents dangerous and fatal diseases and secondly, it stops children from passing them to others," she said.
The decision comes amid rising concern over a whooping cough outbreak in some parts of the country.
