NRL's anti-vaxxer players WILL be allowed to play despite Scott Morrison saying they should have to get a flu shot before taking the field

  • NRL will grant exemptions to allow anti-vaxxers to play without getting a flu shot
  • Players will be made to sign a waiver confirming they understand risk of playing
  • Changes to policy come despite calls to mandate flu shot by PM Scott Morrison 

By Louise Ayling and Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

The National Rugby League has granted exemptions for anti-vaxxer players to take the field without getting their flu shots.

The NRL previously ordered all 480 players from the 16 clubs to vaccinate ahead of the league's return to action on May 28 after coronavirus shut down the contest in March.

The league has since conceded players wanting an exemption will still be allowed to play if they sign a waiver confirming they acknowledge the health risks they are opening themselves up to.

The decision comes despite calls from Prime Minister Scott Morrison to implement a 'no jab, no play policy' to stop putting players at serious risk.

Gold Coast Titans Star Bryce Cartwright (pictured with his eldest child and wife Shanelle at his 2018 wedding) will be allowed on the field despite his refusal to get an flu shot ahead of the 2020 NRL season

Gold Coast Titans Star Bryce Cartwright (pictured with his eldest child and wife Shanelle at his 2018 wedding) will be allowed on the field despite his refusal to get an flu shot ahead of the 2020 NRL season

WHY VACCINES ARE IMPORTANT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them.

Immunisation not only protects individuals, but also others in the community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Research and testing is an essential part of developing safe and effective vaccines.

In Australia, vaccines must pass strict safety testing before the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will register them for use. Approval of vaccines can take up to 10 years.

Before vaccines become available to the public, large clinical trials test them on thousands of people.

High-quality studies over many years have compared the health of large numbers of vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Medical information from nearly 1.5 million children around the world have confirmed that vaccination does not cause autism.

People first became concerned about autism and immunisation after the medical journal The Lancet published a paper in 1998. This paper claimed there was a link between the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. Since then, scientists have completely discredited this paper. The Lancet withdrew it in 2010 and printed an apology. The UK's General Medical Council struck the author off the medical register for misconduct and dishonesty.

Source: Australian Department of Health 

Changes to policy were confirmed by the NRL in a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday afternoon. 

'The National Rugby League has developed stringent biosecurity protocols that adhere to higher standards than public health orders,' the statement read.

'The protocols allow for exemptions to vaccinations under compelling circumstances, including requiring players to sign a release.

'Until an NRL-approved release is acknowledged and signed by players, they will not be permitted to train.'

The Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys told the Australian they will be allowing anti-vaxxers to play under one condition. 

'The is only one clause in there we are going to change because of their religious grounds, which we have no problem with,' V'landys said.

'We will change that clause but anyone who doesn't sign the waiver, will not be allowed to play.'

Players who don't sign the amended waiver will be banned for the NRL season.  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged the league to enforce a 'no jab no play policy' after several high profile players like Gold Coast Titans star Bryce Cartwright vocalised their opposition to getting vaccinated. 

Canberra Raiders players Joseph Tapine (pictured with wife Kirsten) was another player who vocalised a refual to get the flu shot ahead of the NRL 2020 season

Canberra Raiders players Joseph Tapine (pictured with wife Kirsten) was another player who vocalised a refual to get the flu shot ahead of the NRL 2020 season

Canberra Raiders Father-of-two Josh Papalii (pictured with his wife) also refused the influenza vaccine based on religious grounds

Canberra Raiders Father-of-two Josh Papalii (pictured with his wife) also refused the influenza vaccine based on religious grounds

Despite this, a slew of other players followed Cartright's lead - refusing to undergo the flu vaccination because of religious or other objections.

Canberra Raiders players Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Joseph Tapine were among a group refusing on religious grounds.

The change in policy is believed to be a result of pressure from the Rugby League Players' Association after a meeting with NRL management on Thursday morning.   

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was one of the first government officials to weigh in on the sporting code's policies during an interview with 2GB host Ray Hadley on Wednesday morning.   

'When I was social services minister I started the 'no jab no play' rule into the childcare facilities and I think the same rule applies there (NRL) - no jab no play,' Mr Morrison said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured on Tuesday) has backed calls for the NRL to adopt a 'no jab no play' stance

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured on Tuesday) has backed calls for the NRL to adopt a 'no jab no play' stance

More than a dozen players have reportedly signed waivers to continue training after they refused to get the flu vaccination, 7News.com.au reported. 

The flu vaccination is part of the NRL's strict new health and biosecurity protocols designed to reduce the risk of infection for players, staff, officials and the wider community.  

Mr V'landys initially warned there would be sanctions for players who don't follow the guidelines when Project Apollo protocols were launched last week.

'There will be sanctions. We've got no option, there must be a deterrent because one reckless act will bring down an entire competition and the livelihoods that come with that,' he said in a statement.

'We will continue to work with the RLPA about what those sanctions will be for individual players.'

Project Apollo Chair Wayne Pearce added: 'These protocols will be tough, but they need to be to ensure player, staff and community health and safety.'   

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NRL's anti-vax players WILL be allowed to play without getting a flu shot

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