A new article from 9now.nine.com.au highlights the growing calls for a universally free Meningococcal B vaccine in Australia. The article shares the tragic story of Brayden Chater, a healthy 23-year-old who passed away from meningococcal B in 2022. Brayden's parents believe that he would still be alive if he had been immunized against the disease. In response to their loss, the Chater family has started a petition called 'B the Change for Brayden', advocating for free Meningococcal B vaccination.
The article emphasizes the rise in meningococcal B cases since the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting increased concern about the disease. Currently, the B strain vaccine is only free for infants and adolescents in South Australia, as well as for immunocompromised and at-risk groups under the National Immunisation Program. In other areas, the vaccine can cost up to $200 per dose, which can discourage people, parents, and general practitioners from seeking vaccination.
However, there are positive developments in Queensland, as the state plans to follow South Australia's lead in providing free Meningococcal B vaccination. This move aims to make the vaccine more widely accessible and affordable, increasing its implementation. The article highlights the importance of making the vaccine cheap or free in order to encourage its widespread adoption.
In Hong Kong, parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated against meningococcal infection if they are heading overseas to study. This comes after an uptick in cases in popular school destinations such as Britain. The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong conducted a survey and found that most parents were unaware of the health risks of meningococcal infection. The survey revealed that about half of the parents who planned to send their children abroad to study did not know about meningococcal disease and had misconceptions about the potentially fatal infection.
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed 205 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in England in 2021-22, compared with 80 in 2020-21 when pandemic restrictions were in place. The vaccine targeting the type B infection had low coverage in Hong Kong because it was only invented in 2013 and parents generally were not aware of it. Meningococcal infections happen when the bacteria invade the bloodstream or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord, resulting in fever, headache, skin rashes, brain damage, or even death. The disease is mainly transmitted by droplets via sneezing or coughing, or by direct contact with respiratory secretions of those infected. Hong Kong’s health authorities recorded four cases of invasive meningococcal infection in the first half of 2024. The Department of Health recommends people get vaccinated if they are traveling to areas known to experience epidemic meningococcal disease.
Efforts to make the Meningococcal B vaccine universally free are gaining momentum in Australia, with calls for increased accessibility and affordability. In Hong Kong, parents are being urged to prioritize meningococcal vaccination for their children studying abroad due to an increase in cases in popular school destinations. The article highlights the importance of raising awareness about the health risks of meningococcal infection and ensuring widespread vaccination coverage.
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