Christian Scientists will no longer be able to claim a religious exemption to avoid vaccinating their children.
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has had talks with the Church of Christ, Scientist and has removed the group's approved exemption that has been in place since 1998.
The church is no longer advising members to avoid vaccinating their children.
The only remaining vaccination exemption will be on medical grounds.
Last week the federal government announced that from 2016 anyone who doesn't vaccinate their kids because of "conscientious objections" will no longer be eligible for childcare and welfare benefits.
Also on the vaccination front, Health Minister Sussan Ley announced on Sunday that the $6 bonus for doctors prompting parents to catch up on children's immunisations will be doubled to $12 in the May budget.
It's designed to encourage GPs to contact families to come in for their jabs.
Australian Medical Association President Brian Owler praised the move.
The bonus would help doctors to allocate staff to do the time-consuming follow-up work to ensure parents kept up to date with the vaccination schedule, he said.
Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick has raised concerns about vaccination supply coping with extra demand as a result of the national campaign to increase immunisation rates.
Dr Owler is also worried about supply but believes distributors will adjust their production in due course.
Meanwhile, a national immunisation register is reportedly being proposed to keep track of vaccines given through school-based programs.
Share
