THE Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling on the New South Wales government to provide free meningococcal B vaccine for at-risk groups.
The RACGP recommends meningococcal B vaccines for every child aged two and under and every teen aged 15 to 19-years-old, but financial burden is preventing people getting vaccinated.
RACGP NSW & ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said: "We can dramatically reduce the deaths and disability related to meningococcal B."
"Effective vaccines are available, now it is up to the government to ensure free access to all at-risk Australians.
"Prevention is the best solution, and vaccines are one of the most important tools we have for keeping our people safe from deadly infections such as these," Dr Hoffman said.
In South Australia, the free meningococcal B vaccination program cut rates among children by 60%, and by 73% among adolescents.
Queensland and the Northern Territory have rolled out successful programs, while Western Australian GPs called for a free program last year (PD 16 Dec 2024).
"You cannot place a cost on a life or our children's future," Meningitis Centre Australia CEO Karen Quick said, noting that 86% of parents simply cannot afford the vaccination.
"The government can fix this, saving NSW children from death and lifelong disability," Quick said.
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