GPs have urged the Victorian Government to listen to families and follow the lead of other states and territories by funding a life-saving Meningococcal B vaccination program for teenagers and children.
It comes following the recent death of a 16-year-old Melbourne boy Levi Syer after contracting the deadly bacterial infection. The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is stepping up calls for the State Government to protect families by providing free Meningococcal B vaccines to at-risk groups, including children aged two-and-under, and every teen aged 15–19-years.
RACGP Victoria Chair, Dr Anita Muñoz, urged the Victorian Government to act.
"Young Levi Syer died less than a day after he fell ill – this is an infection that must be taken seriously," she said.
"If we don't boost vaccination rates, more lives will be at risk, including young people like Levi with their whole life ahead of them. By providing the Meningococcal B vaccine free of charge for at-risk groups we can save lives across Victoria."
Dr Muñoz said it was time to offer Victorians the same protection already being offered in other states and territories.
"What are we waiting for? Other governments have already acted to help protect families by rolling out vaccination funding programs, including South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, as well as a commitment from the Western Australian Opposition," she said.
"Meningococcal B is a devastating disease, it kills 5–10% of patients and leaves 10–20% of those who survive with brain damage, hearing loss or a learning disability.
"Boosting vaccination rates is the only chance we stand of preventing more untimely deaths, and unfortunately, the cost of vaccination during a cost-of-living crisis acts as a barrier to many patients, including families with young children and teenagers.
"One young life lost is too many, so instead of waiting for more patients, including teenagers like young Levi, to end up in hospital with a severe illness, let's improve prevention efforts by providing this vaccine for free to at-risk groups to keep them as safe from harm as possible.
"There's no need for delay, we have a safe and effective vaccine, we just need to make it more accessible for those most at risk. Remember, this infection can strike anywhere at any time, so let's save precious lives."
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