Kingsford & Kingsford

This case concerned a dispute between a mother and father regarding the childhood vaccinations of their child, T. The matter came before Bennett J.

The court was required to determine the extent to which the child T should be immunised, and the process by which any recommended vaccinations should be administered, considering the differing views of the parents. The court also had to consider the future immunisation of the child, including the Human Papillomavirus vaccine.

Bennett J ordered that the child T receive all childhood vaccinations recommended by Dr J of the Royal Children’s Hospital, to be brought up to date with the National Immunisation Program Schedule. The court further ordered that the child continue to receive future recommended immunisations under the program, with the exception of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine, for which liberty to apply was reserved. Detailed provisions were made for the process of obtaining recommendations, administering vaccinations, and the responsibilities of each parent and medical professionals involved, including the father being responsible for costs and the mother providing the child's health record. The court also directed the independent children's lawyer to provide copies of the order and reasons to specified medical professionals.