Tuesday, 26 November 2024

Meningococcal B vaccination

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (19:13): (1312) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Health regarding the rise in meningococcal B cases in Victoria. The action I seek is for the minister to commit to expanding access to the meningococcal B vaccine across Victoria and to include it in the Victorian state immunisation plan. In 2024 alone there have been 106 cases of meningococcal disease across Australia and 12 of those were type B cases in Victoria. Sadly, one in 10 of those who contract this disease die and one in four are left with permanent disabilities such as loss of limb, skin scarring, organ failure, epilepsy, brain damage and psychological trauma. Even Meningitis Centre Australia is urging the government to act and include this type B disease in Victoria’s state immunisation plan. Meningococcal B disease has unfortunately broken many families’ hearts. There are stories like Abby McGrath’s daughter Emma, who tragically died after contracting meningococcal B disease, with her mother describing the ordeal as ‘a living nightmare’. It should not happen in Australia.

The meningococcal B vaccination currently costs $400 per child, and with families facing a cost-of-living crisis, many simply cannot afford this expense. If this vaccine were included in the immunisation plan, mothers like Abby would not have lost their daughters and families would be able to afford this vaccination. South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory have already adopted this immunisation in their plans. What is stopping the Allan Labor government from following suit and looking after Victorians? So I ask the minister: will the Allan Labor government commit to expanding access to the meningococcal B vaccine across Victoria and place it in the Victorian state immunisation plan, providing a critical healthcare service to our Victorian community and making this a safer and better place for all Victorians to live and feel secure?