Italian children lacking proof that they have been vaccinated were turned away from nurseries on Tuesday after the country’s populist coalition reversed its previously sceptical stance on the need for compulsory jabs.

The two parties that make up Italy’s government – The League and the Five Star Movement – had criticised the policy of compulsory vaccinations, both before and after they came to power last summer.

But in a reversal of policy, the coalition fell into line with mainstream medical opinion and insisted that as of this week, children attending school must receive immunisations for a range of infectious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella and polio.

Under the law, children over six cannot be banned from school but their parents will be fined up to €500 (£425).

Children under six can be barred from attending nursery schools and kindergartens if their parents fail to present written evidence that they have had the required vaccinations.

"No vaccine, no school", said Giulia Grillo, the health minister.

Some children were denied entry to schools on Tuesday but the numbers appeared to be modest.

Different cities and regions applied the law with varying degrees of vigour.

In Bologna, 300 children were suspended from school, according to Italian media reports, while 37 were turned away in the northern Veneto region.