Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination
Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:40): My question is to the Premier. Every baby in Queensland and Western Australia can be immunised against the dangerous respiratory virus RSV because those state governments ordered vaccine supplies. Victorian babies missed out because the Allan Labor government failed to secure supplies of the vaccine when it was available. Why do Victorian babies continue to pay the price for this government’s mismanagement?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:41): I thank the member for Kew for her question. I think it is important to note that our sickest of little babies are at the moment being protected with appropriate vaccines that are provided by our world-class health system. Can I say too, Speaker, that I understand the deeply held concern from parents who may be about to have kids or who have babies themselves. Whilst RSV amongst many little babies can be a common respiratory illness, for some it can be deadly. As the parent of a baby who was airlifted from Bendigo to the Royal Children’s Hospital, I know how potentially dangerous and deadly this virus is, which is why we will continue to ensure that our hospital system has access to the vaccines that are needed to treat our sickest of little babies.
I do not want any parent to go through my experience ever, which is why, alongside ensuring our hospitals have access to vaccines, the Minister for Health is working with her federal and interstate colleagues. It hurts me deeply that we cannot have this conversation with a level of respect for little babies. That is also why we are working so very hard to ensure that our world-class hospital system has the resources, the workforce and the funding that it deserves for the sickest of little kids to our elderly patients to people right across this state. We have a world-class hospital system. I know that because my child and my family members have had their lives saved by it.
Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:43): Premier, the next best option is Abrysvo, a vaccine which can be given to pregnant women to protect their newborn baby against serious RSV, but it costs upwards of $350. Will the government commit to funding this vaccine, or will Victorian mums miss out again?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:43): I thank the member for Kew for her question. In terms of the advice to either parents or expectant parents in terms of the vaccines that they should be accessing, that is a matter for those families and their medical practitioner. I know the Minister for Health is currently working with her federal and interstate colleagues on the vaccination program, and we will continue to support –
James Newbury: On a point of order on relevance, Speaker, the question asked specifically whether the government would support funding the alternate vaccine, and the Premier has not yet addressed that specific and reasonable question.
The SPEAKER: I believe the Premier was referring to working with the federal government to address the issue, so the Premier was being relevant.
Jacinta ALLAN: And that work will continue, as should the work that families do with their medical practitioners to get medical advice about what the best measures are to protect them and their families.