Sarah Hancock works at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, but also knows first hand what it's like to catch a harrowing disease because she was not immunised.
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Just over 10 years ago when Ms Hancock (pictured) was 19, she thought she was invincible, until she nearly died from meningococcal disease.
"It was the most horrific period of my life," she said. "I still have some issues like joint damage, and had to have physio for six months after, as I was having trouble walking."
At the time, a vaccine for the disease had been available to Australians for about three months, although Ms Hancock had not had the vaccination.
"I think most parents want to do what's best for their child ... but I would love it if no other child went through what I went through," she said. "I thought I was going to die, doctors thought I was going to die."
Shellharbour nurse Kelly Forrest agrees with the right for parents to choose, but has seen the effects of not having immunity and believes it is neglectful.
"When I worked in Western Australia, I saw a little kid with measles in his lungs - it was quite shocking to be honest - you wonder what parent would want their child to go through that when it's totally preventable," she said.
"If your child was having an asthma attack, would you not give them their medicine? Even if you take Panadol, there is a risk. It's a duty of care as a parent, and if you love your child wouldn't you want the best for them?"
As a father, and assistant secretary of child care union United Voice, David McElrey said all children should be vaccinated, and feels a combined approach of incentives, penalties, education and awareness will raise the levels of immunisation.
"[A failure to immunise] exposes children and child care staff to significant risk ... and it can also affect the viability of that centre," he said.
"I've got two children in care, if I thought there were children there unvaccinated, I wouldn't want my daughters there."