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9 News
17 hours ago
- 9 News
Push to make $300 vaccine free for thousands of Australians
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A leading health organisation is pushing the federal government to make the $300 RSV vaccine free for thousands of vulnerable Australians as case numbers for the highly-contagious virus climb across the country. The latest figures show nearly 120,000 cases of respiratory syncytial virus Australia-wide so far this year. The symptoms can be severe, according to Mater director of infectious diseases Professor Paul Griffin, with the virus landing some older adults in hospitals. A leading health organisation is pushing the federal government to make the $300 RSV vaccine free for thousands of vulnerable Australians. (9News) "Unfortunately a proportion of them don't survive," Griffin said. Anne Fidler, who picked the virus up from her granddaughter, had to manage several symptoms. "I had headaches, I had a wheezing in my chest, a bit of a runny nose," Fiddler said. Fidler deteriorated quickly due to an existing lung condition and had to seek specialist support. "Trying to get breath into my lungs, which was the hard part, that I thought this is not normal," Fidler said. Across Australia, a free RSV vaccination is available for pregnant women that will protect newborn babies, who can also receive an immunisation product if their mothers haven't had the vaccine. For anyone else, a vaccine costs around $300. "The vaccine works tremendously well reducing the consequences of RSV infection in older adults and particularly those who are most vulnerable," Griffin said. "There are lots of groups that would really like to see this vaccine funded." This includes the Lung Foundation whose members are having to pay for protection. "We encourage the Australian government to add the RSV vaccination to the national immunisation program for those that it is clinically recommended," Lung Foundation CEO Mark Brooke said. There are three RSV vaccines currently approved for Australians 60 years and over, but in order to be placed on the free National Immunisation Program they need to be considered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. The committee has recommended public funding for Pfizer's vaccine for people 75 and older, plus eligible Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander adults, but it has not been listed yet due to concerns over cost-effectiveness. The company said it was actively working with the Department of Health. Two other companies GlaxoSmithKline and Moderna have confirmed they have lodged funding submissions to the committee. In the meantime, vulnerable Australians are being urged to take care. "Wearing a mask, or staying away from your family members when they are unwell, are all little precautions that we can take that go a long way to keeping you safe," Brooke said. CONTACT US
9 News
6 days ago
- 9 News
1.5 million Aussie kids missing out on free dental care every year
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here New data has shown that there is a massive underuse of a dental scheme that gives free dental care to Australians from newborn to 17 years old. The Australian Dental Association has found that only one in three families who are eligible for free dental care as part of the government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule actually use it. The survey conducted by the ADA found the scheme is surrounded by a lot of misinformation and confusion, leaving many parents either unaware of the scheme's existence or unsure of their eligibility. New data has shown that there is a massive underuse of a dental scheme that gives free dental care to Australians from newborn to 17 years old. (9News) Of those who believed they're eligible for the scheme, only 56 per cent have used it for their children. This uncertainty can leave many young Australians at risk of poor dental health. President of the ADA, Dr Chris Sanzaro, is now calling on the government to promote the scheme better so that more Australian families are able to access it. "This leaves millions of eligible Australian families either going without dental care or paying more out of pocket than they need to, when it could so well fund a child's first dental visit," he said. "It's a scheme that's shrouded in mystery and confusion," he continued. For eligible families, the scheme provides up to $1132 over two years for dental services such as examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions for children up to the age of 17. "We're keen to work with the government to help clarify the basic elements of the scheme and promote it to patients and parents to ensure millions of kids are getting the dental treatment and care they need to set them up with healthy mouths early in life," Sanzaro said. health children dental Australia national Health Services government CONTACT US
9 News
7 days ago
- 9 News
Dad barred from interfering with son's cancer treatment speaks out
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A WA father barred from interfering with his teenage son's cancer treatment says he now supports the boy receiving chemotherapy . The family claims they wanted time to consider their options, but the boy was taken away before they could. His son is fighting a rare blood cancer, which was only recently diagnosed, but this father says he feels like the teenager was kidnapped after doctors said he needed chemotherapy. A WA father barred from interfering with his teenage son's cancer treatment says he now supports him receiving chemotherapy. (9News) "They said, 'We're taking the boy to Perth, we're flying him right now to hospital', and we felt very pressurised," the father claimed in an interview with 9News. "I said, 'we need 24 hours just to review our options, there's a few key people to speak to'." The father claimed they did not get that time and police eventually arrived at their home. "The boy went back in the house because the house was surrounded, and it seemed that they were absolutely going to kidnap him," the father claimed. "Every time there's a a shape move behind us or a red and blue light, we're all filled with terror." The father (left) was handcuffed and his teenager taken to Perth Children's Hospital for treatment for acute myleoid leukemia. (9News) The father was handcuffed and his teenager taken to Perth Children's Hospital for treatment for acute myleoid leukemia. The Family Court was told it was an emergency and without it, the boy could die within weeks. But on the weekend, his father cut his chemotherapy line. "I asked for them to pause until we could then look at alternatives," the father claimed. He said he had now changed his mind and "we fully support the hospital". "We're happy to go along with them. Honestly I just need the time to do my own research. A WA father barred from interfering with his teenage son's cancer treatment says he now supports him receiving chemotherapy. (9News) "I do believe that each of us should be able to choose our own healthcare, that should be a human right." The boy's chemo continues here at Perth Children's Hospital where it's expected he'll have to attend for at least the next four to six weeks. "He's a real talent and he's an amazing boy," the father said. "If anyone's going to beat it, he will." Western Australia Perth courts cancer health CONTACT US Auto news: Why Australians are still driving around without insurance.
