STOP SENDING SICK KIDS TO DAY CARE: Leading Australian scientist issues urgent plea to parents as virus wave hits families

Stop being SELFISH!
 

Australian health and wellness expert Dr Vincent has issued a blunt and emotional plea to parents across the country: do not send your child to day care if they are sick. Doing so is selfish!
 

The warning comes after his own family was hit with repeated viral infections since the start of the year, with his young daughter bringing home what he describes as a revolving door of viruses.
 

"As parents, we have to do better," Dr Vincent said.
 

"Our daughter has come home with so many viruses since the new year began. Coughs, fevers, runny noses, stomach bugs, it's been relentless and she is not alone. This is happening in households across Australia.
 

"Sending your child to day care sick is selfish. It affects so many people."
 

Dr Vincent said while childcare centres do their best, the problem often begins with parents who send visibly unwell children into group settings.
 

"I understand the pressure families are under. Work commitments are real but knowingly sending a sick child into a shared environment spreads illness to dozens of other families. It is preventable."
 

The hidden cost of just a mild cold
 

According to Dr Vincent, what some dismiss as just a mild cold can quickly become weeks of illness circulating through households.
 

"One child goes in with a virus. Within days, it's spread across the entire room. Then it goes home to siblings, parents and grandparents. The cycle repeats," he said.
 

"For working parents, it means lost productivity. For vulnerable people, it can mean something far more serious. We have to start thinking beyond our own household.
 

"We have taken quite a bit of time off work already this year to take care of our daughter and it is only mid-February. For parents with limited leave, this type of situation can be devastating."
 

Immunity matters more than ever
 

Dr Vincent said his family has been fortunate because they are proactive about immune health through nutrient-dense whole foods and targeted supplementation, including activated phenolics derived from Australian apples.
 

"We are lucky in that we take care to boost our immune systems through good food and supplements. But not every family has the same level of protection," he said.
 

"Because we are all healthy, we have been able to improve recovery time but not everyone is that lucky.
 

"As a scientist and clinical nutritionist, I know how important immune resilience is. However, the first line of defence is simple: if your child is sick, keep them home."
 

A community responsibility
 

Dr Vincent said the issue is not about blame but about collective responsibility.
 

"This is about community care. Day care centres are shared ecosystems and one decision affects dozens of families," he said.
 

"If your child has a fever, persistent cough, vomiting, diarrhoea or is clearly unwell, they should not be in group care. It's that simple."
 

He is urging childcare providers and policymakers to reinforce stronger health messaging as virus transmission remains high in early 2026.
 

"We cannot normalise constant illness. Children deserve to recover properly. Parents deserve workplaces that understand and communities deserve consideration," he said.
 

"It is also about being respectful for the daycare educators, they deserve to have a healthy and safe work environment."
 

About Dr Vincent
 

Dr Vincent is Australia's leading health and wellness expert, clinical nutritionist, food scientist and antioxidant researcher. He is the founder of Renovatio, one of the country's fastest-growing health and wellness brands, known for its powerful antioxidant formulations derived from Australian apples.
 

Products include supplements, skin care and pantry goods. With a PhD in food science and extensive experience in clinical nutrition, Dr Vincent is a passionate advocate for accessible, science- backed wellbeing. Through Renovatio, he is dedicated to helping people live longer, healthier and more vibrant lives by harnessing the power of nature and evidence-based innovation. He launched his skin care products in the US this year under the brand, Vincent. www.VincentPlus.com
 
About Renovatio
 

Renovatio Bioscience was founded by Dr Vincent in 2016 following his breakthrough discovery while undertaking antioxidant research at the University of Newcastle. He developed a laboratory technique to extract the world's most potent antioxidants 'activated phenolics' from Australian apples and other produce using only water. His innovative work solved an issue, which had been perplexing scientists all over the world for nearly 80 years.

Dr Vincent patented and translated his innovative work into a range of 'turbo charged' health and wellness products including supplements, skin care and pantry products to help people access the world's most potent antioxidants in an 'easy to consume' form. Visit: www.renovatio.com.au