A quad-strain vaccine to help protect young children from the devastating consequences of meningococcal will be added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the new vaccine, called Nimenrix, covers against A, C, W and Y strains.
It will be added to the NIP ahead of the next peak meningococcal season which, based on previous years, is expected to be in the second half of the year.
“Meningococcal is a rare but very serious infection that has devastating consequences for individuals and their families,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It occurs when meningococcal bacteria from the throat or nose invades the body, and tragically, in recent years we have seen a rise in the number of invasive meningococcal cases in Australia.”
In 2017, there were 382 cases reported nationally, compared with 252 cases in 2016 and 182 cases in 2015.
Deaths associated with meningococcal have also risen, with 28 deaths in 2017, compared with 11 deaths in 2016 and 12 deaths in 2015.
Currently, infants aged 12 months are given a single-strain Meningococcal C vaccine.
Mr O’Brien urged all parents to take advantage of the new vaccine, and to get the facts about immunisation by visiting https://immunisationfacts.gov.au
“Vaccination is an effective and safe tool to prevent the spread of many diseases that cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions and sometimes death,” Mr O’Brien said.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said upgrading to the quad-strain was good news for parents and infants, but it’s only the first step in the Government’s broader approach to reduce meningococcal’s impact.
“In March, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) will consider the listing of a quad-strain vaccine for adolescents,” Minister Hunt said.
“We are committed to strengthening Australia’s world-class national vaccination program and we urge all Australian parents and carers to have their children vaccinated.
“The announcement follows the decision by PBAC to recommend the listing of Nimenrix for infants aged 12 months of age.”
Mr O’Brien said the Coalition has a policy of funding all medicines recommended by PBAC.
