Jailed for not vaccinating children
Parents in Belgium who failed to have their children vaccinated against polio have been convicted, fined and sentenced to five months in prison. Polio vaccination is compulsory in Belgium and although the parents failed to appear in court, they were convicted on police reports. The prison sentences were suspended pending vaccination of the children.
In Belgium the doctor administering the vaccine gives parents a proof of vaccination certificate for notification to local community officials. If the 18 month deadline is not met, local officials send reminders and if parents still refuse, the district attorney is notified.
Parents can appeal against conviction, but judges prefer them to return to court to explain their motivation for refusing vaccination. Belgian law allows exceptions only with proof of the likely risk of adverse events for the child following polio immunisation.