State to roll out free meningococcal vaccinations for under-21s

ALL Tasmanians under the age of 21 will be eligible for a free vaccination against meningococcal as the State Government rushes to respond to the growing health concern. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

ALL Tasmanians under the age of 21 will be eligible for a free vaccination against meningococcal as the State Government rushes to respond to the growing health concern.

It is understood Health Minister Michael Ferguson will on Thursday announce that any Tasmanian born after August 1, 1997 will be able to receive the vaccine against four strains — A, C, W and Y – of the potentially deadly disease.

It follows a further two cases of meningococcal confirmed in the Hobart area on Wednesday, taking the total to five over the past two weeks.

MENINGOCOCCAL PETITION GAINS STRONG SUPPORT

A 36-year-old man and another man aged in his 70s were each in a stable condition and were receiving treatment at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Preliminary testing indicated the men had contracted the W strain of the disease.

The cases did not appear to be linked, either to each other or the three other recent cases.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Rose Beltz died earlier this month after contracting the disease, while a three-month-old baby remains in the Royal in a stable condition.

FEARLESS SARAH LEAVES MEMORIES TO TREASURE

Mr Ferguson had promised a response and it is understood planning is under way for the extended scheme to kick off in coming weeks.

Vaccination will be offered for free at GP clinics, council clinics and a number of other settings statewide.

Pharmacists will be able to provide the vaccine to children aged 10 years and older.

The cost of extending the program is yet to be revealed.

Preliminary testing indicates four people contracted the W strain of the disease, including Ms Beltz.

One case of meningococcal B has been confirmed, with the person released from hospital.

Health authorities will continue to monitor the situation before any decision on including the costly B strain vaccination.

MUMS SAYS MENINGOCOCCAL B VACCINE IS TOO EXPENSIVE

MPs JOIN CALLS FOR MENINGOCOCCAL TO BE ON PBS

A 36-year-old man and another man in his 70s are each in a stable condition in the Royal Hobart Hospital after contracting meningococcal.

Last year, in response to an increase in meningococcal W cases, the Tasmanian Government intervened with an ACWY immunisation program targeting 15-19-year-olds. From July 1 the meningococcal ACWY vaccine was included in the National Immunisation Program as a routine vaccine at age 12 months.

“Public Health is taking an appropriate and responsible approach to dealing with cases of meningococcal in Tasmania and the Government is committed to expanding our state-funded program on the competent advice of the director,” Mr Ferguson said in a statement on Wednesday.

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO ANOTHER CHILD

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said close contacts of the latest sufferers were receiving antibiotics as a precaution.

“People should remain vigilant for meningococcal disease symptoms, and if they suspect they or someone they care for may have contracted meningococcal disease, they should seek emergency medical care immediately,” Dr Veitch said.

Tasmania has reached its average of around five meningococcal cases a year in the past two weeks.

Last year, there were 16 confirmed cases.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Bastian Seidel, talks about how to deal with meningococcal.

1 CONSULT YOUR GP

“Now is not the time for generalised advice. The appropriate advice really is to seek specific information from your usual GP to see what vaccinations would be appropriate for you.

“The most important thing people can do right now is to contact their usual GP to really ask about specific, individual advice on how they can protect themselves and whether a vaccination is the appropriate way for them.”

2 GET VACCINATED

“There often is no one size fits all approach, the best way to [protect] yourself from suffering from meningococcal disease is to have the vaccinations.

“There are different types of vaccinations available, and some people might have already had one vaccination, other people might not have had the vaccination.

“Vaccinations are available over the age of six weeks … there are various vaccines available, there are various schedules available, the schedule depends on the age of the person as well.

“It’s very different for a six-year-old compared to a 60-year-old person.

“[Once you have a prescription,] the vaccinations, I believe, are still very much available in Tasmania from the chemist.”

3 DON’T PANIC

“There is no need to panic, but it is absolutely appropriate for communities to seek advice.”