- State-funded 'catch-up' vaccination program available until December 31, 2018
- 50 per cent of Western Australian children aged 12 months to five years remain unvaccinated
- Vaccination offers protection from ACWY strains of meningococcal disease
Following recent cases this year of meningococcal disease in children aged under five, the Department of Health is reminding parents of children aged one to four years to get a free meningococcal ACWY vaccine which protects against potentially deadly meningococcal infection.
So far this year, 12 children aged under five years have been hospitalised with meningococcal disease which could have been prevented if they were vaccinated.
After an increase in meningococcal infections in Western Australia in 2016 and 2017, at the start of this year the McGowan Government announced a free meningococcal ACWY vaccination program for all children aged from one to four years inclusive.
Following this lead from Western Australia, the Federal Government began offering the ACWY meningococcal vaccine to one year olds under the National Immunisation Program.
The State Government funded 'catch-up' program for children aged one to four years runs until the end of 2018.
Children under five, and 15 to 25 year-olds are the age groups at highest risk for meningococcal disease.
While more than 70,000 children aged one to four (inclusive) in WA have received a meningococcal ACWY vaccine so far, this represents only 50 per cent of children in this age group, and more than 70,000 children in the community remain unprotected.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle or joint pains, drowsiness, confusion, nausea and vomiting, and a rash of red-purple spots or bruises. In babies, symptoms can include fever, rapid breathing, rash, vomiting, irritability, drowsiness, poor feeding and pale skin. Medical assistance should be sought immediately for anyone experiencing such symptoms.
The Department of Health will be sending out reminders to parents who have not yet had their children vaccinated to ensure their children do not miss out.
