Page 2446 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 June 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION
QUESTION NO 1308
Child-Care Centres -- Immunisation Policy-
MR HUMPHRIES: Asked the Minister for Housing and Corm Services-
1. Does the Government have a policy with respect to the immunisation of children admitted to Government sponsored or subsidised childcare places. If so, what is the policy.
2. Is it compulsory for children admitted to such places to be immunised.
3. What procedures are followed is Government sponsored or subsidised childcare centres in the event of an outbreak if a contagious childhood illness, eg. measles.
MR LAMONT: The answer to the Member's question is as follows
1. The Government's policy regarding' mmunisation for children attending Government sponsored or subsidised childcare places is the same as for those attending other childcare services, preschools and schools in the ACT.
Under the ACT Public Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations July 1993, it is mandatory to establish the immunisation status of children being enrolled in childcare, preschools and school for the first time. Parents/guardians are required to show their child's immunisation record, on the approved form, at the time of enrolment.
2. The Government does not have a policy of compulsory immunisation for children
attending child care cue. However, some child care services have chosen to maintain
a policy of requiring immunisation according to the ACT Health requirements unless
there is a medical reason put in writing by a registered medical practitioner which
prevents or delays immunisation. This was the requirement prior to the ACT Public
Health (loos and No 't ifiab le Diseases) Regulations July 1993.
3. The proms to be followed is the event of an outbreak of a contagious vaccine- childhood ills in a child care centre are as follows:
• The Director of the child care centre is to inform the parents/guardians, of
unimmunised and the Medical Officer of Health as soon as is
• The Medical Officer of Health may direct that the child be excluded from the child care centre for the duration of the outbreak.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .