New Zealand’s school immunisation programme appears to use behavioural science to influence parental medical decisions.
The vaccine itself is not the issue. But the process used to obtain consent relies on behavioural design that borders on coercion while presenting itself as choice.
An in-class video primes students, followed by a form that subtly pressures disclosure.
Refusing still requires full personal and medical details.
Only at the final step is “optional” introduced, buried under reasons for declining.
Every response is recorded, categorised, and may trigger a follow-up.
