The Canning MP is urging families with young children to take advantage of the Government's decision to add a quad-strain vaccine to the National Immunisation Program.
The Turnbull Government announced the new Nimenrix vaccine would cover against A, C, W and Y strains of meningococcal and be freely available for Australian infants nationwide, in a bid to protect young Aussies from the consequences of the potentially fatal disease.
Nimenrix will be added to the National Immunisation Program ahead of the next peak meningococcal season.
Member for Canning Andrew Hastie said the decision would make a big difference for local families.
“Adding the Nimenrix vaccine to the National Immunisation Program means it will be freely available for Australian infants.”
"The consequences are devastating for individuals and for their families." he said.
Meningococcal is a rare but very serious infection that occurs when meningococcal bacteria from the throat or nose invades the body.
“In recent years we have seen a rise in the number of invasive meningococcal cases in Australia. In 2017, there were 382 cases reported nationally, compared with 252 cases in 2016 and 182 cases in 2015," Mr Hastie said.
Last year 28 people suffered meningococcal related deaths, compared with 11 in 2016 and 12 deaths in 2015.
Infants are currently given a single-strain meningococcal C vaccine at 12 months old.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said upgrading to the quad-strain is great news for parents and infants, but it’s only the first step in the Turnbull Government’s broader approach to reduce the impact of meningococcal.
“In March 2018, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will consider the listing of a MenACWY vaccine for adolescents,” Minister Hunt said.
“We are committed to strengthening Australia’s world-class national vaccination program and we urge all Australian parents and carers to have their children vaccinated.
“The announcement follows the decision by PBAC to recommend the listing of Nimenrix for infants aged 12 months of age.” he said.
Mr Hastie said that the Coalition was committed to ensuring that all medicines recommended by PBAC were affordable and accessible.
“This is part of our commitment to making medicines accessible. Vaccinations are an effective and safe tool to prevent the spread of many diseases and improve public health,” Mr Hastie said.
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