Scott Morrison has blasted one of his own Coalition MPs for 'dangerous' anti-vaxx comments urging parents to keep their children away from the Covid jab.
Rogue Nationals politician George Christensen advertised on Tuesday that his new podcast episode, delving into various unfounded vaccination conspiracy theories, would 'break the internet' and that every parent 'needed to listen to it'.
The Prime Minster, who supported the move to boot unvaccinated tennis star Novak Djokovic ahead of Australian Open on the grounds his presence might 'incite anti-vaxx sentiment', has faced mounting pressure to address anti-science rhetoric within his own ranks.
Just hours after the North Queensland member's Facebook message went up, Mr Morrison shot it down in a scathing reprimand.
Scott Morrison (right) has blasted one of his own Coalition MPs (George Christensen, left) for 'dangerous' anti-vaxx comments urging parents to keep their children away from the Covid jab
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet watches on as a child, 8, receives her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick on January 10
'I strongly disagree with the message sent out by Mr Christensen regarding children's vaccinations,' the Prime Minister said.
'It is contrary to the official professional medical advice provided to the Government, and I urge parents to disregard his dangerous messages in relation vaccines.'
He said vaccinations are our 'primary weapon' in the fight against Covid, as the nation recorded a further 72,000 infections on Tuesday.
'If you are not vaccinated against the virus you are more likely to experience severe illness and die. Getting vaccinated saves lives,' Mr Morrison said.
'This includes 5 to 11 year olds who are provided with a special children's vaccine that has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
'These are the same medical experts who approve all other vaccines for children in Australia. They are the world's best medical regulators.'
Pictured: Protesters take part in a 'Voices 4 the Kids' protest against vaccination policies at Prince Alfred Park in Sydney on Saturday
The Prime Minster has faced mounting pressure to address anti-science rhetoric within his own ranks. Pictured: 'Voices 4 the Kids' anti-vax protest in Sydney on January 15
Mr Morrison said vaccinations are our 'primary weapon' in the fight against Covid. Pictured: 'Voices 4 the Kids' anti-vax protest in Sydney on January 15
The Member for Dawson said the latest episode of his podcast 'Conservative One: Pandemic Unmasked' is 'too hot to post to Facebook'.
'I can't even show you the title but I can tell you every parent should listen to it,' he said.
He later wrote: 'Do not vax your children with these mRNA 'vaccines',' he wrote. 'There. I've said it. Find out why here.'
Mr Christensen is set to feature Robert Malone — a medical doctor and an infectious-disease researcher who was recently banned from Twitter for spouting misinformation.
The virologist also made headlines this month on the Joe Rogan podcast comparing the plight of the unvaccinated to life in Nazi Germany.
Among his claims are that 'toxic' spike proteins from mRNA vaccines can permanently damage children's organs.
Medical experts have denounced the false claims and say mRNA vaccines have saved countless lives during the pandemic.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said he 'flatly disagreed' with Mr Christensen's statement and said anti-vaxxers had 'lost the debate' on vaccine safety and effectiveness.
'Vaccinations save lives,' he said. 'I would flatly, plainly disagree with anyone who said that,' Mr Hunt said at a press conference on Tuesday.
'Frankly, the anti-vaxxers aren't just losing the debate, they've lost the debate.
'We're at a 95 per cent 16-plus vaccination rate... we'll just keep
