‘A step in the right direction’: Skylar’s family welcomes new study offering free meningococcal B vaccines to young people

THE family of a two-year-old NT girl who died from the deadly meningococcal B has welcomed news of a study that will provide free vaccines to more than 7000 young Territorians

Ash and Sally Lawrence hold the new immunization poster, have been strong advocates for the Meningococcal B vaccine after losing their young daughter Skylar. Picture: Justin Kennedy

THE family of a two-year-old NT girl who died from the deadly meningococcal B in 2017 has welcomed news of a study that will provide free vaccines to more than 7000 young Territorians.

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Sally Lawrence and husband Ash have been calling for the federal government to fund a free vaccine for the meningococcal B strain since their daughter Skylar died from the bacterial infection at just two years old.

Parents pay $300 to get a child vaccinated against meningococcal B, two doses costing $150 each.

Ms Lawrence said the study was a “step in the right direction”.

“It’s a really good thing for the Territory and hopefully it will have an impact,” she said.

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“Unfortunately the vaccine isn’t very available due to the cost, so hopefully by having this study and getting positive results … that will see it reduced in cost and the federal government incorporates it on to our (vaccine) schedule.”