A northern NSW mother says she wants to set up a "no vax" childcare centre.
Juanita Halden says she is responding to "no jab no play" policies, pro-vaccination health campaigns and government threats to strip welfare payments from parents who refuse to immunise their children, and that she has already been approached by a small number of interested mothers.
"I am a woman who answers to Creator -> not corporation," Ms Halden said in a post on her Facebook page.
"Therefore I am the highest authority when it comes to making decisions concerning my body or that of my property 'my child' ... I understand true immunity starts in the gut, starts at home & is not found in a pill, needle or Pharma lab."
Ms Halden lives in the northern rivers district, which has some of the lowest child vaccination rates in the nation, and says she has already been contacted by mothers, developers and others interested in helping set up a centre.
NSW Early Childhood Education Minister Leslie Williams said it was an irresponsible move.
"As a former nurse, I am appalled that a service of this type would be suggested," she told AAP in a statement.
"In NSW, we have a no jab, no play policy. Services who do not comply face penalties, including prosecution.
"Vaccines are safe and effective. Administering vaccines is the best way to protect your child from serious disease. By vaccinating, you are protecting your child as well as the broader community."
NSW Labor health spokesman Walt Secord said he wanted action, not words.
"It is time the Baird government drew a line in the sand and stood up to the anti-vaccination movement," Mr Secord said.
"It is irresponsible, dangerous and ridiculous - and puts the whole community in danger of measles, whooping cough, mumps and other deadly diseases."
Further comment has been sought from Ms Halden.
Share
