Meningococcal B: Why Victorian teens are missing out on free vaccine protection
Levi Syer developed sepsis and died suddenly at only 16 years of age. His tragic death exposes a shocking health shortfall in Victoria.
Worried parents are calling on the state government to “stop playing Russian roulette” with their children’s health.
They want better protection from a “horrible disease” that teens in other states receive for free.
More than 18000 people have signed an online petition in the wake of the sudden death of 16-year-old Casey boy Levi Syer who developed sepsis – a deadly complication of meningococcal B.
Levi’s mum Norliah thought her son was protected against the disease courtesy of a free vaccine he received at school under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
But in Victoria, Year 10 students are vaccinated for only four of the six meningococcal strains and the deadly B disease is not included, unlike in Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia.
Immunisation against meningococcal serogroup B disease is free in Victoria only for at risk groups, which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Everyone else wanting protection against meningococcal B has to pay up to $160 each for at least two doses of the vaccine, both as infants and again when aged 15 to 19.
In the days after Levi’s death Ms Syer vowed to fight to raise awareness about meningococcal B and push for its addition to the NIP.
Since launching the petition parents from across the country have joined her call and shared their own frightening stories about meningococcal B.
Queensland mum Pam Appleton nearly lost her “very athletic, 17-year-old daughter to this hideous disease” in 2024.
“It breaks my heart to see Levi and others have not and it truly is unforgivable,” Ms Appleton said.
Her daughter had missed out on a vaccine for Meningcoccal B as it was added to Queensland’s free schedule after she had received her immunisations in Year 10.
“The vaccination needs to be made available and parents need to be informed about this B strain,” Ms Appleton said.
“Stop allowing state governments playing Russian roulette with our children’s health.”
Meanwhile, mum Cheryl said her two-year-old daughter developed sepsis after contracting Meningococcal B in August 2024 and was rushed to hospital where she spent seven days.
“I count my lucky stars we were fortunate to bring her home,” she said.
“My heart goes out to Levi’s nearest and dearest at this sad time.”
Bendigo woman Jillian, who signed the petition, was also appalled by the situation.
“It is absolutely disgusting that Victoria hasn’t put it on their schedule,” she said.
“How many more have to die due to financially being unable to afford the vaccination or are completely unaware of its existence?”
She was also concerned there was a lack of public information about the illness.
“We had to bring it up ourselves to a doctor and asked why we were not informed about it without asking as it is such a dangerous illness,” she said.
A Victorian state government spokesman extended their “deepest condolences to Levi’s family and loved ones during this difficult time”.
The spokesman said any decision for Victoria to publicly fund an immunisation program was based on the advice of the chief health officer.
They added: “The Commonwealth’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee does not currently recommend a meningococcal B vaccine for the broader community.”
The Commonwealth Health Department told the Herald Sun the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) had to recommend the inclusion of any vaccine on the NIP, following an assessment of clinical and cost-effectiveness.
“To date, the PBAC has not received an application from pharmaceutical companies seeking expanded eligibility for meningococcal B vaccine.”
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