MenB vaccine will protect young Queenslanders
AMA Queensland has been calling for the meningococcal B strain vaccine to be added to the free National Immunisation Program for more than six years. The Queensland Government has listened.
The Queensland government’s decision to make the meningococcal B vaccine free for infants and older teenagers from next year will help protect young people from this potentially deadly infection.
“AMA Queensland has been calling for the meningococcal B vaccine to be added to the National Immunisation Program since 2017,” AMA Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said.
“This has also been the recommendation of the federal government’s expert advisory body on immunisations, ATAGI.
“We commend the Queensland government for taking action. It is an anomaly that vaccines for the A, C, W and Y strains are available free but the B strain vaccine is not.
“The private cost of this vaccine and boosters can be a large out-of-pocket cost for parents at a time when cost of living is skyrocketing.
“We have seen 20 cases of meningococcal B in Queensland so far this year, compared to 10 at the same time last year.
“While we don’t have a start date yet for the free vaccine, we know it will start in the first quarter of next year, and Queensland Health is working on procuring vaccines.
“We hope the federal government takes note and adds the B strain vaccine to the National Immunisation Program so all young Australians are protected from this disease.”
