Sympathetic children's doctors?

**oidara** · 19-01-2012, 06:26 PM

Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good doctor for kids who is supportive of non-vaccination?

We will be living either in the Mount Barker or Willunga areas, so close to those would be ideal, but we'd also be willing to travel if needs be.

For that matter, I don't really know how healthcare works in Oz. Here in Slovenia/Austria, you usually take your kids to a pediatrician unlike back in the UK where we had to just go to a GP. How is it in Oz?

Thanks!

**Sallyh** · 19-01-2012, 11:12 PM

havent met a dr actively supportive of non-vax but we've not had any real issues. don't worry too much. we just go to the gp with them unless special issues then u get referral to paediatrician or whomever. sorry for no caps am nak-ing!

**oidara** · 20-01-2012, 06:28 AM

Thanks! Fingers crossed we won't have too much conflict then.

**James** · 21-01-2012, 09:59 AM

Assuming you are doing Waldorf school, they will know someone. Dr Macdonald is in city at Wakefield clinic attcahed to Wakefield Calvarly and very patient. I have never discussed vaccination, when you move countries those kind of details can get lost really so would not stress, it is not compulsory here. For me I think it is ok for children with no issues, with issues identified I would be selective about it but that is my own view and whta I have witnessed. Tetanus for instance is fairly safe and is a risk if you do not do it. I also discovered rather than have multiple jabs you can have your child tested for effectiveness after one or two, often the third is not needed it is an overkill for those who do need it so therefore we all have it. I am guessing though you do not want any. Hope that helps

James

**James** · 21-01-2012, 10:23 AM

I should have said also I am not sure if it is linked to certain bonus payments so you mayy need to give those up. On teh positive you can go to whichever GP you like and change to another for different opinions no need to register with any so if you have conflict move on. Getting to specialists is another matter

**oidara** · 21-01-2012, 11:49 AM

Thanks, James. From my understanding, your benefits are not cut provided that you discuss your decision with your GP and sign a conscientious objection form to show that your non-vaxing is based on a considered decision rather than just laziness.

**sarahtwinn82** · 21-01-2012, 11:58 AM

Have you thought about school? I had to show vaccination records before my daughter could enrol. You could get them vaccinated before you come or when you get here.

**James** · 21-01-2012, 02:46 PM

At Waldorf I do not think any are much and no one worries as far as I understand

**oidara** · 21-01-2012, 04:07 PM

Thanks, Sarah, but we don't vaccinate by choice; it's not because we haven't got around to it or anything. Also, vaccinations are not compulsory in Australia no matter what kind of school your kids attend. Although they may have asked to see vaccination records when you enrolled, this doesn't mean they would have/could have barred entry if any vaccines were missing.

James - you're quite right about Waldorf. I already asked and have been told that many other parents there also choose not to vaccinate. Do you have connections to the Waldorf schools, by the way? You seem clued up on them as you guessed from my mention of areas that we are planning on enrolling in one too! ;-)