Tasmanian mum says strain B meningococcal vaccine is too expensive for many families

FAMILIES are paying more than $1000 to vaccinate their children against meningococcal disease.

IT will cost mum-of-four Victoria Brumby $1100 to vaccinate her children against meningococcal disease as poorer families are priced out of the strain B vaccinations.

After school today, Mrs Brumby will take her children to get the meningococcal B vaccine, and she feels incredibly lucky she can afford to do so given the concern surrounding the latest meningococcal outbreak.

The strain B vaccinations cost about $130 each but booster shots also required at an added cost and is the only strain not publicly subsidised.

EDITORIAL: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

MORE: HOW MANY HAVE TO DIE BEFORE FREE VACCINATIONS?

MORE: PHARMACIES COP DEMAND DELUGE

Victoria Brumby with her children Lottie, 9, left, Loulou, 4, Angus, 7, and Tilly, 11, who she will have immunised against the meningococcal outbreak at a cost of $1110. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

She said in the past fortnight there had been concern among families heading back to school.

“I was going to vaccinate them back in May and found out how much it cost and was appalled,” she said.

“We are lucky to be able to afford it because I know there are other families that can’t and that’s really sad and unfair. “We were going to do one of the strains but then we were recommended to do all the strains.”

Mrs Brumby has backed calls for the B strain vaccination to be made free to all ages or added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.