An anti-vaxxer network that potentially includes three Victorian GPs is being investigated after a video emerged of a Melbourne anti-vaccination forum showing a doctor explaining to families how to avoid the “no jab, no pay” legislation.
The Herald Sun reports that three doctors are under investigation by Victoria’s Health Department and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for helping families avoid compulsory vaccines in secret.
One such doctor is Mitcham GP Dr John Piesse from the Natural Healing Centre, who features in the video telling anti-vaxxers “there is hope.”
“I want you to know that for ‘no vax no pay’ it is definitely possible to get the exemption,” he tells the crowd.
Dr Piesse’s colleague, naturopath Nerida James, also appears in the video, reports 7 News, telling the group that they have “supported about 600 families” so far.
The ant-vacination forum was held in Hawthorn, Melbourne, on August 3 and screened the banned film Vaxxed.
Victoria’s Acting Health Minister Martin Foley has said that the AHPRA has taken too long to investigate Dr Piesse.
“By failing to vaccinate their children, parents are putting their kids and others in our community at risk of terrible diseases or death,” he says.
Anyone with concerns about a registered health practitioner should contact AHPRA on 1300 419 495.