Christian Scientists granted immunity from no jab, no pay policy

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Lauren, age 1 is administered with a vacciantion for flu (influenza).Seasonal flu jab.Flu vaccination.Swine flu.LondonBy David Levene12/1/11
The number of conscientious objectors to jabs has risen to nearly 40,000 in recent years, Scott Morrison says. Photograph: David Levene/David Levene

Christian Scientists have been revealed as the only group able to object to vaccinations on religious grounds, under a new plan to restrict conscientious objections to immunisation.

Social services minister Scott Morrison earlier this week announced that the government would cut off childcare payments and family tax benefits to parents who did not immunise their children.

He noted that there was one group who had previously registered their objections to vaccinations but he refused to say who they were.

“There is only one religion. It is a very small religion that has such a registered objection and I am not about to publicise it because I am sure they want to protect the integrity of their exemption and not have others abuse it,” Morrison told 3AW on Monday.

But the Family Assistance guide, published by the social services department, says the exempt religion is the Church of Christ – Scientist, otherwise known as Christian Scientists.

Parents and carers must produce a letter from a church leader stating they are an active member of the organisation before they can be granted an official exemption.

Christian Scientists are not required to shun modern medicine, but maintain that healing prayer is more effective without medical intervention.

Guardian Australia has contacted the group for comment.

There were 1,356 people who classified themselves as Christian Scientists in the 2011 census.

Exemptions to the government’s no jab, no pay policy also apply to children who can not be immunised on medical grounds.

Morrison said that the number of conscientious objectors who choose not to vaccinate their children has risen to nearly 40,000 in recent years.

The no jab, no pay policy has elicited a mixed response from members of the medical fraternity, many of whom are worried that the decision will alienate anti-vaxxers and penalise their children.