Supplies of Q-Fever Vaccine Must Be Maintained
Chair of the AMA's Rural Reference Group (RRG), Dr David Rivett, said today that the Federal Government must step in to ensure supplies of the Q-Fever vaccine, Q-Vax, remain available to the Australian population, especially rural workers and veterinarians who are at higher risk of contracting the debilitating disease.
Q-Fever strikes more than 600 Australians every year and currently around 12,000 people are vaccinated against the disease annually.
Vaccine manufacturer CSL has announced it plans to stop production of Q Vax from March 2007, a decision that has outraged rural communities, organisations and politicians, and now the AMA as well.
Dr Rivett, a GP from Batemans Bay, NSW, has treated patients with Q-fever and says it is a condition for which the adage 'prevention is better than the cure' rings true.
"I've treated patients, mainly abattoir workers, with Q-Fever and it's a terrible disease that causes great discomfort and chronic pain," Dr Rivett said.
"There is no doubt that vaccination is still the best method to protect the at-risk population, most of whom live and work in regional Australia," Dr Rivett said.
"Whatever the reasons for CSL's decision it is vital that the Government does what is necessary to have that decision reversed.
"This is a major public health issue that will dramatically affect country people and country communities who are already severely disadvantaged by medical workforce shortages and cuts to health services.
"Q-Fever victims are mostly farmers, farm hands, shearers, meatworkers, and veterinarians - the backbone of many rural communities.
"The Government must not allow CSL to desert them," Dr Rivett said.
Inquiries by the AMA indicate that there may be no locally available alternatives to Q Vax for protection against Q-Fever.