Warning as meningococcal B cases rise, Queensland announces free vaccine
Australians are urged to be on the lookout for symptoms of meningococcal disease as calls for the strain B vaccine to be made free across the country grow.
New South Wales Health issued a warning on Friday after 25 cases of meningococcal disease – mostly strain B of the infection – have been reported this year.
Meningococcal is a rare but serious and sometimes fatal infection with babies, toddlers, teenagers and young adults most at risk.
“While vaccination of these age groups has reduced the number of infections each year, the vaccines do not protect against all strains of meningococcal bacteria and people of all ages can be infected,” NSW Health said.
“All people should be aware of symptoms so they can act fast.”
Symptoms include:
- Sudden fever
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Tiredness
- Joint or limp pain
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Nausea and vomiting
- High-pitched crying in babies
- A rash of red-purple spots or bruises, which may appear after the other symptoms or late in the disease progression
If these symptoms occur, Australians are urged to seek medical assistance as the disease can be fatal within hours if left untreated.
A vaccine for meningococcal B, the strain detected in most NSW cases this year, is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with certain medical conditions in NSW.
A vaccine for meningococcal ACWY is provided for free for babies at 12 months and a second dose is provided to teenagers in year 10.
But now Queensland is making meningococcal B vaccines free for Queensland babies, children and teenagers.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the vaccine would be free and available as part of routine childhood vaccines and in the school immunisation program.
“This is the single biggest investment in a state-funded vaccination program in our State’s history,” the state’s health minister Shannon Fentiman said.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomed the free vaccination announcement.
“Meningococcal B must be taken seriously. This is a rare but terrible disease that without urgent care can result in death or disability.
Just a few years ago, a two-year-old died from meningococcal B at my practice and it is something that you never forget,” RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins said.
“The B strain is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease in children, adolescents, and young adults.”
Higgins said there’s evidence the b strain is emerging as the more common cause of death and called for the vaccination to be added to the national immunisation program to be made free across all states and territories.