Australia gives power to refuse anti-vaccine children from early education

An Australian law maker has introduced a legislation that would give childcare centers increased power to exclude children who are not immunized in an attempt to increase "herd immunity" to preventable diseases.

Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick introduced the legislation into parliament on Wednesday night that would give childcare centers the choice of whether to accept or decline children who are not immunized.

Queensland's immunization rates for children sat at 92 percent in the last quarter of 2014, short of the 95 percent recommended for strong "herd immunity".

Dick told Fairfax Media Thursday with contagious but preventable diseases such as whooping cough and measles still affecting children and more needed to be done to minimized potential for very tragic

"Every year, there are tragic cases that highlight the importance of ensuring everyone in your family is fully immunized, " Dick said.

The legislation follows on from the previous government's strategy to educate Australian parents about the importance of vaccinations. However, they had stopped short of implementing it.

The New South Wales state government has a similar law in place.