MARC and Samia Larere thought they were doing the right thing by their children, aged three and 15 months, when they refused to vaccinate them against polio, tetanus and diphtheria.

The pair from Auxere, France, 175km south of Paris, believed they would do more harm than good by subjecting the children to the vaccine needles. French authorities disagreed and came down hard on the anti-vaxxers.

In a sentence handed down in a criminal court on Thursday, the pair received a two-month suspended jail sentence. They have been given time to appeal, but it could’ve been much worse.

They were originally charged with neglecting their children’s health, an offence that could’ve landed them two years in prison and a hefty fine.

The case sparked much debate in France and followed the introduction of strict new laws on vaccines. Before the hearing, Samia Larere told reporters she stood by her decision.

“There are serious studies carried out today that prove that vaccines can make our children ill more than protect them. There are additives, like mercury and aluminium, which are dangerous.”

A lawyer for the family said the couple were not “anti-vaccination”, but didn’t want to be forced to give anything to their children.

“They’re not vehemently anti-vaccinations and they don’t belong to any group or sect,” lawyer Emmanuel Ludot said.

“Vaccines, yes, but not the additives. I will almost certainly get the case referred to the constitutional court to establish if a vaccine can be enforced.”

New “no jab, no pay” laws came into effect in Australia on January 1. The laws require parents to keep their children up to date with immunisations “appropriate for your child’s age” or have a medical exemption before receiving a child care benefit or Family Tax Benefit Part A.