Victorian teachers exempt from ‘no jab no play’ laws

Kindergarten teachers across Victoria are reportedly not required to be vaccinated, despite the state government’s “no jab not play” laws. 

The rules mean children who haven’t been vaccinated are refused entry into kindergartens and childcare centres unless they have a medical certificate stating they have a medical condition, and have been in place since January. 

The Herald Sun reports the laws do not require staff to be vaccinated or inform the school if they have not been immunised, and there is no enforced register of immunised staff. 

Opposition spokeswoman Georgie Crozier told the newspaper it was a concerning revelation. 

“The Andrews Labor Government’s admission that Early Childhood Educators are not required to be vaccinated is alarming and Victorian parents have a right to be concerned,” she said.

“This shows that Daniel Andrews’ vaccination policy is not only flawed but he obviously hasn’t thought it through.”

When the government last year announced it would introduce the laws, it drew strong criticism from anti-vaccination campaigners, and the newspaper reports this revelation has angered some parents.