VAX APPROACH

Forcing anti-vaxxers or poor parents to immunise their children doesn’t work because it usually entrenches their distrust of vaccinations, researchers say.

Financial penalties and blocking kids from going to school if they are unvaccinated has had some success overseas in populations which were slow — but not reluctant — to immunise.

But among groups which were opposed to vaccines, mandatory vaccination had nearly no impact.

“Communities known for choosing not to vaccinate risk being further marginalised, and the mandates reinforced their beliefs and resolve creating more polarised views,” said authors of a paper published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Coercive methods also risked disproportionately penalising people who were already experiencing mistrust.

The article coincides with the measles outbreak, which has put the spotlight on New Zealand’s immunisation rates.

Vaccines are not mandatory but are strongly recommended and paid for by the Government. Early childhood centres must keep records of immunised children.

Several countries, including France, have mandatory immunisation programmes, while the United States requires children to be vaccinated before they can attend public schools.

The authors of the NZMJ paper concluded that countries which gained community acceptance and trust about immunisation were the most successful in reducing misperceptions and improving immunisation rates.