Researchers study motivations of parents who refuse to vaccinate children

Pilot study investigates why parents choose not to vaccinate and why many do not to disclose that their children aren't immunised, potentially putting others at risk

The health of pregnant women and their babies is at risk from parents who refuse to disclose that their children have not been vaccinated, according to researchers in Western Australia who have launched a pilot study to investigate the motivations of anti-vaccinators.

Dr Bronwyn Harman, a families researcher with Edith Cowan University's school of psychology and social science in Western Australia, said unvaccinated children could be carrying diseases such as rubella and whooping cough that are dangerous to pregnant women and newborns.