'Children's lives at risk': Melbourne doctor denies danger of helping families dodge vaccinations
A doctor who assisted hundreds of Melbourne families to avoid vaccinations has been accused of putting children's lives at risk.
An investigation could see him stripped of the right to practise medicine, but he remains unrepentant.
Dr John Piesse is accused of putting lives at risk, and he admits helping hundreds of Victorian families to dodge vital, compulsory vaccinations.
“There are many children being damaged in our society about unsafe vaccines and we are being told lies about vaccine safety," he said.
Acting Health Minister Martin Foley has slammed Dr Piesse's risky practice.
“This is not medicine, this is voodoo medicine. This is nonsense parading as science," Mr Foley said.
"It places children's lives at risk. It places the public health at risk.
“Vaccination saves lives. Let there be no misunderstanding about that.”
The GP has even attended screenings of a contentious anti-vaccination film.
There, Dr Piesse explained how families can exploit loopholes to dodge the government's “no jab, no play" program.
Dr Piesse told parents at the screening: "You need a doctor's letter of contrary indication in the right form, provided the doctor has got the qualifications required for 'no vax no play', or is a registered medical practitioner for 'no vax no play' ".
"I've been approached by hundreds of parents who want to get exemption from the penalties for not vaccinating, and most of them have good reasons."
The Australian Medical Association's Victorian President Dr Lorraine Baker slammed Dr Piesse.
“It's very disappointing if doctors engage in what is against the established science,” she told 7 News.
An investigation has been launched into his behaviour and that of two other Melbourne doctors.
If the doctors are found to have breached their legal patient obligations, they will face a string of penalties and could even be stripped of their ability to practice.
