Vaccine Record Fraud Exposed: Parents Skirt 'No Jab' Policies, Jeopardizing Public Health
Catherine Hughes' infant son, Riley, died from whooping cough in 2015 at 32 days old. This vaccine-preventable disease prompted her to become an advocate for immunization.
A recent investigation has revealed that some parents are engaging anti-vaccine doctors and nurses to falsify Medicare records. This practice facilitates the enrollment of unvaccinated children in childcare and enables families to claim government payments fraudulently.
Professor Margie Danchin, a paediatrician and vaccinology expert, identified this as a significant public health issue. Unvaccinated children risk contracting preventable diseases and contribute to a reduction in herd immunity, posing a danger to vulnerable populations.
"Professor Margie Danchin, a paediatrician and vaccinology expert, identified this as a significant public health issue."
Navigating 'No Jab, No Pay' Policies
Vaccine uptake in Australia has remained below national targets, partly influenced by increasing anti-vaccine sentiment globally. Existing 'no jab, no pay' and 'no jab, no play' policies prevent unvaccinated children from enrolling in childcare or preschool in most Australian jurisdictions and affect family tax benefits, unless a medical exemption or catch-up program is in place.
These restrictions have reportedly led some parents to seek healthcare professionals who will alter immunization records. Anti-vaccine Facebook groups, with over 40,000 members, are reportedly used to connect parents with doctors or nurses who charge fees, potentially thousands of dollars per child, to falsely register complete immunization schedules on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) without administering vaccinations. Only specialized, registered vaccination providers are authorized to log vaccinations on the AIR.
Instances of Alleged and Proven Fraud
Instances of fraudulent activity have been documented. In 2021, Perth nurse Christina Hartmann Benz was charged with fraudulently recording a vaccine, though the case was later dropped. In Victoria, Dr. Denes Borsos' registration was suspended for issuing fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine exemption documents for early education enrollment.
Elevated Disease Risk Amidst Misinformation
Health authorities in New South Wales have issued warnings about an elevated risk of measles, a vaccine-preventable airborne disease, with 14 cases reported since December 1, 2025. Australia recorded 181 measles cases in 2025, representing more than a threefold increase from 2024.
Studies indicate that nearly half of unvaccinated parents do not believe vaccines are safe, and a similar percentage would not feel guilt if their unvaccinated child contracted a vaccine-preventable disease.
Almost 40 percent of unvaccinated parents do not believe vaccinating children contributes to community protection.
Permanent medical vaccine exemptions are granted under strict criteria for specific adverse reactions or severe immunocompromise.