Latest news with #NationalImmunisationProgram
9 News
3 days ago
- Health
- 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
West Australian
24-07-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Mid West flu cases surge to 326, surpassing 2024 total amid spike in respiratory illness and low vax rates
Influenza cases in the Mid West have already surpassed last year's total, with local health professionals urging residents to take precautions and get the flu shot amid a sharp spike in respiratory illnesses. As of July 23, 326 influenza cases have been recorded in the Mid West so far this year, eclipsing the 314 cases reported in 2024. Alarmingly, 224 of those have been reported in just the past three months, up from 136 in the same period last year. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are also climbing, with 151 cases recorded so far this year, well on their way to surpassing the 217 cases recorded in 2024. 'Lots of presentations for viral infections, upper respiratory tract infections and influenza-type symptoms presented to both pharmacies and so we've definitely seen the effect of that.' Despite free flu shots being available through the National Immunisation Program, Mr Buise said the number of people coming in for the vaccine appeared to be lagging. 'Unfortunately, with vaccination rates, I don't think we're achieving what we should be,' he said. 'I'm not sure whether it's vaccine fatigue or not, but we've seen lower rates of flu vaccines and an increased rate of presentations with flu-like symptoms.' With the season far from over, Midwest GP Network chair Richard Taylor urged those feeling unwell to look after themselves and the community. 'It is really important to stay home if you're unwell as airborne transmission of these very infectious viruses is how they spread. 'The key message is please stay home; your work colleagues will thank you for it. For those vulnerable people, it really is important if you're unwell to stay home.' Mr Buise encouraged those who have not had their flu jab yet to get it done. 'Getting in now and having your flu vaccine is better than not at all,' he said. 'It's providing protection for (your) family and for our aged community as well.'
The Age
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Age
Stacey lost her son to meningitis. Here's what she wants you to know
While the classic symptoms of meningococcal, the bacterial infection that causes meningitis, are a rash and a sore neck, not every patient experiences them. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint pain, light sensitivity, vomiting and nausea. In young children, irritability, difficulty walking and high-pitched crying may also indicate a serious infection. Young children, teens and young adults are considered to be at greater risk of the disease, which is spread person to person, partly because of lifestyle habits including sharing items from food and drinks with young children to vapes and make-up with teens. Deep throat kissing is also considered a common way to pass the disease from one person to another. Loading Meningococcal usually causes meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Treatment is via intravenous antibiotics but even with rapid treatment between five and 10 per cent diagnosed with the disease do not survive. Those who recover may suffer from hearing loss, brain damage or loss of one or more limbs. Karen Quick, chief executive of the Meningitis Centre Australia says meningococcal cases are on the rise this year with overall cases now at 58 nationally. Of those, 44 have been identified as the meningococcal B strain. Meningococcal vaccines for the A, C, W and Y strains are free to babies over the age of six months and teens between the ages of 14 and 16 years under the National Immunisation Program. However, only people with specific conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders under two years of age have access to free vaccinations of meningococcal B. While Brayden had received the ACWY vaccine, he had not been vaccinated for the strain that took his life at the age of 23. Meningococcal B vaccines cost between $100 and $150, with three shots required for babies and two for teenagers. When you factor in the cost of a doctor's visit, Quick says it can amount to between $400 and $600 per patient. The NSW Department of Health website advises that vaccination is still the best way to prevent the disease spreading. However, Stacey believes most parents think that their children are already immunised. 'Ninety per cent of people I speak with don't know,' she says. While her long-term goal is to push government to provide free vaccines – she is the face of 'B the change for Brayden' campaign – she says an awareness campaign is vital, particularly for young people Brayden's age. 'I would like to see a strong advertising campaign, particularly for that age group of 18 to 23 because it is quite scary,' she says. 'We need something aimed directly at that group. They are in situations where there are a lot of drinks and vapes and lipsticks being shared and they need to be aware.' The Commonwealth Department of Health is responsible for funding the National Immunisation Program with vaccines put through a rigorous assessment process before being included in the scheme. When contacted by this masthead, the office of the NSW Health Minister noted that the risk of contracting meningococcal is one in 200,000. In relation to the request for free vaccines, a spokesperson for the NSW Government provided the following statement: 'The NSW Health Minister has written to the Federal Minister for Health proposing that he request Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to re-assess the inclusion of meningococcal B vaccine in the National Immunisation Program (NIP).' For Stacey Chater and her family, change can't come soon enough. Despite the cost, they have all been vaccinated for Meningoccocal B. 'I still can't believe this has happened,' she says. 'It changes your life forever. The thing that keeps me going now it to raise awareness.' If you are worried about meningococcal disease you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
Sydney Morning Herald
15-07-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Stacey lost her son to meningitis. Here's what she wants you to know
While the classic symptoms of meningococcal, the bacterial infection that causes meningitis, are a rash and a sore neck, not every patient experiences them. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint pain, light sensitivity, vomiting and nausea. In young children, irritability, difficulty walking and high-pitched crying may also indicate a serious infection. Young children, teens and young adults are considered to be at greater risk of the disease, which is spread person to person, partly because of lifestyle habits including sharing items from food and drinks with young children to vapes and make-up with teens. Deep throat kissing is also considered a common way to pass the disease from one person to another. Loading Meningococcal usually causes meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Treatment is via intravenous antibiotics but even with rapid treatment between five and 10 per cent diagnosed with the disease do not survive. Those who recover may suffer from hearing loss, brain damage or loss of one or more limbs. Karen Quick, chief executive of the Meningitis Centre Australia says meningococcal cases are on the rise this year with overall cases now at 58 nationally. Of those, 44 have been identified as the meningococcal B strain. Meningococcal vaccines for the A, C, W and Y strains are free to babies over the age of six months and teens between the ages of 14 and 16 years under the National Immunisation Program. However, only people with specific conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders under two years of age have access to free vaccinations of meningococcal B. While Brayden had received the ACWY vaccine, he had not been vaccinated for the strain that took his life at the age of 23. Meningococcal B vaccines cost between $100 and $150, with three shots required for babies and two for teenagers. When you factor in the cost of a doctor's visit, Quick says it can amount to between $400 and $600 per patient. The NSW Department of Health website advises that vaccination is still the best way to prevent the disease spreading. However, Stacey believes most parents think that their children are already immunised. 'Ninety per cent of people I speak with don't know,' she says. While her long-term goal is to push government to provide free vaccines – she is the face of 'B the change for Brayden' campaign – she says an awareness campaign is vital, particularly for young people Brayden's age. 'I would like to see a strong advertising campaign, particularly for that age group of 18 to 23 because it is quite scary,' she says. 'We need something aimed directly at that group. They are in situations where there are a lot of drinks and vapes and lipsticks being shared and they need to be aware.' The Commonwealth Department of Health is responsible for funding the National Immunisation Program with vaccines put through a rigorous assessment process before being included in the scheme. When contacted by this masthead, the office of the NSW Health Minister noted that the risk of contracting meningococcal is one in 200,000. In relation to the request for free vaccines, a spokesperson for the NSW Government provided the following statement: 'The NSW Health Minister has written to the Federal Minister for Health proposing that he request Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to re-assess the inclusion of meningococcal B vaccine in the National Immunisation Program (NIP).' For Stacey Chater and her family, change can't come soon enough. Despite the cost, they have all been vaccinated for Meningoccocal B. 'I still can't believe this has happened,' she says. 'It changes your life forever. The thing that keeps me going now it to raise awareness.' If you are worried about meningococcal disease you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
West Australian
03-07-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Opposition renews calls to fund meningococcal B vaccine as WA hits seven cases of deadly disease
The Opposition has renewed calls to fund the meningococcal B vaccine after six of seven recorded cases of the deadly disease this year were identified as the strain. The latest case of the uncommon but life-threatening bacterial infection, diagnosed in a child who is now recovering in hospital, brought the total in line with the State's five-year average. It prompted shadow health minister Libby Mettam to urge the Minister for Preventative Health to consider a free vaccination program for MenB in Budget Estimates on Wednesday. A combined vaccine for A, C, W and Y strains is free via the National Immunisation Program for all children aged 12 months, but the immunisation to protect against the B strain is not. Immunising against MenB is currently a costly exercise in WA with two doses of the jab costing between $320 to $350. It is only free for First Nations children and other children with specified conditions. When urged to consider a free vaccination program in Budget Estimates, Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton said WA Health were closely monitoring cases. 'The Department of Health and the Communicable Disease Control Directorate closely monitor all those serious notifiable diseases, including meningococcal,' she said. 'They continue to provide advice to ministers, including me, regarding the requirements relating to meningococcal B and other strains. 'I will continue to monitor the trends in relation to MenB and seek advice from experts around Western Australia's future response.' WA Department of Health director-general Shirley Bowen said a vaccination program would be considered if there were clusters of MenB in the community. 'Seven is a number that concerns us definitely,' she said. 'We have a very active and watching brief on this situation and we will consider it at any time should we see significant clusters of meningococcal B occurring. 'At the moment, we are not seeing significant clusters. We are just seeing the occasional case but we definitely recognise it is an important and preventable disease and we will continue to watch it actively.' At a press conference on Tuesday, Ms Mettam said the strain B vaccine 'represents extraordinary bang for buck because it ultimately saves lives'. 'Meningococcal B is a serious life threatening condition but there is a way to prevent it and that is through the roll out of a free vaccination, something that we have seen in other states,' she said. 'The Cook Labor government can do this.' Meningitis Centre chief executive Karen Quick backed the call for MenB vaccinations to be made free. 'South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory have all gone ahead as they're not prepared to take a gamble with their children's lives,' she said. 'Western Australia can do exactly the same thing. It's not fair, it's not equitable that the states across our borders get vaccinated and yet our children here in WA don't. 'Vaccines are no good sitting on shelves. They need to be in our children's arms to protect them.'
