Free vaccines bid to beat meningococcal

ALL Australian children would get immunised for free against four deadly strains of meningococcal in one hit under a major shake-up of the vaccination schedule being brokered by the Federal Government and pharmaceutical giants.

Vaccination against the disease is ad hoc across Australia with the Federal Government only funding the jab that protects against C-strain for children at 12 months old.

Under the new scheme being discussed, all children would get free vaccination against the A, C, W and Y strains of the disease under the National Immunisation Program. The Tasmanian Government recently announced a free W-strain vaccination pro- gram in its schools for those aged 15-19.

West Australian man Lloyd Dunham, 19, died from meningococcal disease while visiting Tasmania last month.

More than 25 per cent of students have yet to get the shot which was brought in earlier this year following a dangerous surge in infections.

On the private market parents can pay to vaccinate their children against the four-strains from two years old and also pay for a meningococcal B jab. There has been huge demand for the vaccine this year.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was “optimistic” of progress in coming months. Before the vaccines can be funded, pharmaceutical companies must get approval from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.