In most states and territories, an exemption issued and signed by a registered medical practitioner is legally valid, with Victoria and South Australia the outliers. To issue a permanent or temporary exemption, doctors in all states and territories are required to ensure a patient meets specific criteria outlined in the ATAGI’s latest clinical guidance, which contains very few contraindications. GPs live by the Hippocratic Oath and will not administer any medical care or treatment without patient consent.’ ‘But no individual will ever be forcibly vaccinated. ‘We are experts in providing evidence-based information, GPs do this every day for other vaccinations and it’s a key part of our day-to-day job,’ she said. But the Melbourne GP made clear that despite vaccine mandates, which pose restrictions for employment, consent remains key. Rather, Dr Price said people with anxiety will be better off talking to their GP to allay any fears. ‘GPs and general practice teams have a lot on their plate at the minute – the last thing we need is groups of people emerging from the woodwork demanding a vaccine exemption because of information they have sourced from an anti-vaxxer group,’ she said. The ATAGI guidance does list ‘acute major illness’ as a reason for temporary exemption, but anxiety is not listed as a contraindication.ĭr Price said that while GPs take anxiety ‘extremely seriously’, the ploy will not be successful.

‘It is not just GPs, but our hard-working receptionists and other practice team members who’ve bore the brunt of this, and it does add to our stress levels.’Ī vocal anti-vax group has recently been attempting to manipulate the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) Expanded Guidance on vaccine exemptions by advising people who are hesitant to seek an exemption on the grounds of ‘acute major anxiety caused by the threat of a mandatory medical procedure’. ‘Some patients are aggressive and abusive, demanding an exemption when not fitting the clear criteria. ‘It’s affecting GPs and practice teams across the country,’ she told Guardian Australia. RACGP President Dr Karen Price says it has become a significant issue and believes persistent misinformation about the vaccines is the driving force. This is the reality for some GPs who are being targeted by people seeking unlawful COVID-19 vaccine exemptions, as public health orders mandating vaccination for various sectors come into effect. UPDATED at 5.30 pm Tuesday 25 January to reflect changes to ATAGI's recommendations on vaccine deferral. Patients have been pressuring GPs and other practitioners for unlawful vaccine exemptions. UPDATED: With different vaccine mandates now in effect across Australia, newsGP explores the criteria and processes for exemptions in each state and territory.

Letter of vaccine religious exemption