Vic anti-vaxx doctor verges on suspension

A Melbourne GP who bragged about getting hundreds of children to dodge vaccinations has one week to explain to the health watchdog why he should not be suspended.

Dr John Piesse was on Thursday notified by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency that it was looking to suspend his medical registration, he told Fairfax Media.

When a practitioner is notified of such a move, they have one week to argue their case.

Dr Piesse, who works at the Natural Healing Centre in Mitcham and the Natural Institute of Integrative Medicine in Hawthorn, boasted at an anti-vaccination rally that he got hundreds of children exempted from the "no jab-no play" laws.

He's been under investigation by AHPRA since 2016.

Both state and federal health ministers came out on Thursday calling for AHPRA to throw the book at Dr Piesse.

"Practitioners who pedal lies and misinformation about immunisation are a menace and put the health and safety of children at great risk - they must be stopped," Acting Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said.