GPs are urging the Tasmanian Government to follow the lead of other states and territories and fund the expansion of a life-saving Meningococcal B vaccination program for at-risk patient groups.
It comes following the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) stepping up calls for all state and territory governments to fund free Meningococcal B vaccines for children aged two-and-under, and every adolescent aged 15–19-years-old.
The College has spoken out recently following the tragic death of 16-year-old Levi Syer, and warmly welcomed the Tasmanian Government's commitment to make meningococcal B vaccines free for all infants from six weeks to 12 months old and free catch-up immunisation for children over 12 months and under two years old.
However, RACGP Tasmania Chair Dr Toby Gardner said further expansion is needed.
"We must act; young lives are at risk," he said.
"It's time for Tasmania to catch up. Other state and territory governments have already rolled out free vaccination funding programs for children and adolescents, including South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, as well as a commitment from the Western Australian Opposition.
"This is a severe bacterial infection that can rapidly take the lives of otherwise young and healthy teenagers. If we don't act to boost vaccination rates, young people with their whole lives ahead of them will succumb to untimely deaths, and we can't let that happen."
Dr Gardner urged the Tasmanian Government to step up to help families with teenagers across the state.
"Households are facing high cost-of-living pressures, and we must ensure all families can access these potentially lifesaving vaccinations," he said.
"The price for the Meningococcal B vaccine can range from $110 to $135 per dose, and two or three doses may be needed depending on age. So, by ensuring the Meningococcal B vaccine is free of charge for at-risk groups across our state, we can save lives.
The RACGP Tasmania Chair said Meningococcal B must be taken seriously.
"This is a very serious infection that kills 5–10% of patients. For those who survive, 10–20% are left with brain damage, hearing loss or a learning disability," Dr Gardner said.
"Increasing vaccination rates is the number one thing we can do to save lives. If we don't initiate a free vaccination program, unfortunately some families may not be able to afford vaccinations for teenagers. And one young life lost is too many.
"We must act now, particularly since we have a safe and effective vaccine available. In Tasmania, we just need the political will to make it more accessible for more families with teenagers; by doing so we can save precious young lives."
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