Immunisations should be made compulsory and it should be an election-year issue.

That's the view of Northland's Dr Lance O'Sullivan who is furious at anti-vaccination campaigners who are touring the country.

Dr O'Sullivan's suggesting parents be given no choice.

"In a society where individual choice is respected, but collective benefit must be considered, I think we need to be having a discussion.

"Considering it's an election year I think we should be looking for leaders in our country that will have this debate."

Dr O'Sullivan said we also need to think about a penalty for those parents who don't immunise their children.

The 2014 New Zealander of the Year said while he's stopping short of suggesting unvaccinated children should wear face masks at schools and pre-schools, he said the issue is too important to drop.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is commending Dr O'Sullivan for taking a stand against the movie, and said he totally supports what Dr O'Sullivan is saying.

Himself a former GP, Dr Coleman said vaccination is a good thing.