Update:
Meningitis experts have expressed their extreme disappointment at a decision by the Pharamceutical Advisory Committee to reject the new Meningococcal B vaccine for the national immunisation plan.
The two main strains of meningococcal disease in Australia are the B and C strains. The National Immunisation Program includes a vaccine for the meningococcal C strain but not for the B strain.
Bruce Langoulant Chairman of the Meningitis Centre Australia told Mamamia: “The vaccine which is available by prescription remains out of reach for the majority of vulnerable Australians. It costs over $500 for a baby aged up to 12 months.”
He vowed to continue fighting to have this vaccine including on the NIP.
“Prevention by vaccination has been the key to the successful fight against HiB, Meningococcal C and Pneumococcal meningitis,” he said.
“We hope we will continue to have the support of our Australian political leaders and see this new meningococcal B vaccine on the NIP in the not too distant future.”
Previously, Mamamia wrote:
Little Ryder Manulat didn’t look ill on Tuesday night.
But by Wednesday morning, he had woken up with a rash of pinprick spots all over his body.
By 10am, Ryder had been administered antibiotics and was on life support. And by 2pm that same day, the two-year-old boy with the adorable cheeky grin, was dead.
NSW-born Ryder – who had Down syndrome and was living with heart complications as well – died of the lesser-known B strain of Meningococcal. Sadly, little boy’s death probably could have been prevented — but the vaccine which guards against B strain Meningococcal isn’t included in the National Immunisation Schedule. Ryder’s parents say they didn’t even know the vaccine was available.