Meningococcal disease due to the W strain has been increasing in Australia, affecting babies, young children teenagers and young adults. It can be very serious. At present there is no vaccine funded by government to prevent W disease. The most common strain of Meningococcal disease is B strain. The government has been considering weather to introduce that vaccination into the schedule for babies/children. Such a vaccine may also prevent W disease as the B vaccine is a cross.
Meningococcal Disease B vaccine Petition
The Parkyn Family in South Australia started this petition after their 3 year old daughter Jazmyn was diagnosed with Meningococcal B back in August 2015. Her parents had Jazmyn (and her 2 siblings) 'fully' immunised under the free Australian Immunisation program. Jazmyn's parents assumed that they were protected for Meningococcal Disease.
Meningococcal B is the most common strain in Australia today. Currently, the meningococcal C vaccine is on the schedule, and the B vaccine is only available on the private market. This can be unaccessible for many families.
Meningococcal Australia are helping the Parkyn family reach and educate as many people as they can, which will in turn assist this important vaccine being added to the National immunisation program. If you wish to have this petition in your workplace, business or school, please contact Meningococcal Australia info@meningococaal.org.au.
Your support is vital. Together, we can make a difference and have our voices heard.
Meningococcal B vaccine rejected by PBAC July 15 meeting
Meningococcal Australia is disappointed to learn that the Meningococcal B vaccine has not been successful in gaining PBS status. This means that Australian families will have to continue to source the vaccine on the private market and pay from their own pocket. We are disappointed that the committee has made this decision, this vaccine should be accessible for all children on the NIP (National Immunisation Program). Meningococcal B is now the most prevalent strain in Australia today. Since the successful introduction of the Meningococcal C vaccine back in 2003, it has had such a positive result protecting our whole community. We hope hope that the concerns around the vaccines implementation can be addressed in the coming months and we can see the Men B vaccine added to protect our community. Until then please remember to Know, Check and Act for Meningococcal Disease.
Peak Season Alert
Late winter and early Spring herald the peak time for Meningococcal Disease cases. We have been fortunate to have had great media coverage helping to educate the public on the KNOW, CHECK and ACT message in resent weeks however Meningococcal Disease is still within our community and we need more awareness around early detection and well as vaccination.