Friends start petition to fight for free meningococcal vaccine

AN online petition calling for the meningococcal B vaccine to be made free in Tasmania has attracted thousands of signatures. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Kacee Johnstone, left, with her son Charlie Butler and Erica Burleigh. Picture: MATTHEW THOMPSON

AN online petition calling for the meningococcal B vaccine to be made free in Tasmania has attracted thousands of signatures.

Erica Burleigh, who started the petition with her best friend Kacee Johnstone, was just 17 when meningococcal B left her with very limited vision in August 2000.

“One day I was full of life, the next I was unable to walk, dragging myself around on my hands and knees and vomiting uncontrollably,” she said.

“Within 12 hours, I was in hospital in a coma which lasted close to four days. The doctors told my family that I would probably die. They hooked me up to life support and I was unable to see at all, everything was just black, then it turned into shadows.

“They did some tests and found out that it had killed the optic nerves behind my eyes.”

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Ms Burleigh, now 35, had to give up her job, driver’s licence and “any and all independence” she had following her release from hospital.

“Enough is enough, every year someone either dies or is left with a severe lifelong disability,” she said.

“Many people are not even aware there is a separate vaccination for strain B. It needs to be free for everyone.”

The ‘make B free’ petition had more than 3300 supporters by 10.30pm on Tuesday. A related Facebook page titled ‘Make meningococcal B vaccination free in Tasmania’ had more than 680 members.

The vaccine against meningococcal B strain is available at pharmacies but has not yet been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

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It is understood that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has not yet been satisfied with the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero.

Mother-of-one Ms Johnstone said she jumped on board the cause because all families should have the choice to immunise their children against all strains of meningococcal.

“At just 13 months old, my son Charlie’s meningococcal B vaccines have already cost $250, with another shot to come this Friday,” she said. “I know there are families who equally care about their kids as much as anyone with money, but they can’t afford it.”

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The women will this week make arrangements to present their petition to Health Minister Michael Ferguson, state Opposition Leader Rebecca White and a representative from the Greens.