Pharmacy Daily | Renewed call for free Men B vax in NSW

MENINGITIS Centre Australia (MCA) is urging the New South Wales Government to fund a Meningococcal B vaccination program for babies and teens in its June budget, with new data showing the state has recorded among the highest number of cases already this year.

It comes after a similar call from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) earlier this year (PD 30 Jan).

MCA Chief Executive Karen Quick said 30 cases of the potentially fatal Meningococcal B (Men B) infection have been recorded nationally this year, of which eight were in NSW.

While babies and teens are routinely vaccinated against strains A, C, W and Y under the National Immunisation Program, vaccination against the deadly Men B infection is only available in NSW to most families via a private prescription - costing hundreds of dollars.

"This is simply not good enough - meningococcal B is a vaccine preventable disease but, in a cost of-living crisis, most parents simply cannot afford to pay for this vaccine and protect their children against this deadly infection," Quick said.

"While babies and teens are protected from other types of meningococcal disease, we know that Men B is actually the type that is most prevalent in Australia and is responsible for around 80% of cases," she added.

One in 10 people infected will die, and one in four survivors suffer permanent complications, such as loss of limbs or brain damage.

"This infection is frequently fatal or can leave people with lifelong complications," Quick said.

"We are on the brink of peak season - we must act now before any other family is impacted."

Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia have already implemented state-based Men B vaccination programs for babies and teens, with Quick highlighting the inequitable access.

"Babies and teens are protected in some states and not others."

"The NSW Government will say it's a federal responsibility, but that has not stopped three states from stepping up and doing what's required to protect their communities," she continued.

"NSW, as one of our biggest states, needs to follow suit and the time is now - a budget is coming up and preventative health should be a priority," Quick said.

Quick noted that a state-funded Men B vaccine program in NSW would cost around $20 million per year, while the average lifetime care for one survivor can reach $10 million.

"The ongoing costs of caring for Men B survivors are enormous - not just for individuals, but for their families and communities," she said.

"This disease is devastating, yet we have a way to prevent it."

The state opposition, independents and Greens have supported the call. KB