PM wants new vaccine reconsidered

MALCOLM Turnbull has urged a company that makes a lifesaving meningococcal vaccine to apply for a fourth time to get government subsidies.

The Federal Government has been under pressure to fund the meningococcal B vaccine after 16-year-old Sarah Beltz died from the virus in Hobart last month.

But the Prime Minister said the vaccine must be recommended by a committee before being listed on the National Immunisation Program.

GlaxoSmithKline has already made three attempts to have the vaccine listed.

“If the pharmaceutical benefits advisory committee recommends it, we will list it,” Mr Turnbull told Parliament. “We are urging the sponsor company to resubmit their application at the earliest opportunity … with more evidence on the vaccine’s effectiveness.”

Denison independent MP Andrew Wilkie asked in question time if the government would fund the vaccine.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten wrote to the Prime Minister last month asking what consideration was being given for adding the vaccine to the National Immunisation Program, and what action was being taken to assist state and territory governments in providing access to it.

There have been six cases of meningococcal in Tasmania this year, prompting the State Government to make vaccines for the A, C, W and Y strains free to all Tasmanians aged between six weeks and 21 years.

A second free public meningococcal vaccination clinic will be held this weekend. People in New Town, Moonah and Glenorchy remain the primary targets for coverage, but others who live, work, study, or spend significant periods of time in suburbs from Lenah Valley to Granton will also be eligible for the clinic at the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

The vaccines are for anyone born after August 1, 1997 and will be administered between 9am and 7pm on Saturday and 9am and 6pm Sunday. Booking are essential and can be done at www.trybooking.com/ XGZJ.