Media Release: Meningococcal B program for South Australia - Great News

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP welcomes today’s announcement by Minister for Health and Wellbeing the Hon Stephen Wade MLC that from 1 October 2018, the first phase of meningococcal B vaccinations is to be publicly available for infants and pre-school children.

“This is very good news, and will be particularly welcomed by the many people in the Copper Coast who have for many years been involved with Violet Day initiatives and the Paige Weatherspoon Foundation, set up by Nicky and Dwayne Weatherspoon of Kadina in 2000 after their 22-month-old daughter Paige died from this awful disease.

“Their years of raising awareness and funds for research have contributed to more being known about Meningococcal strains, and today’s announcement of this new vaccination program – the first of its type in Australia – is an add-on to this work.

“I addressed parliament on 30^th May to recognise the efforts of the Weatherspoons, and also the Expert Working Group established by the new Marshall government to develop a set of recommendations for best response to beating this disease, and I am very pleased with such a swift outcome.”

The state-wide vaccination program that has been developed includes a program for children aged up to 12 months and catch-up programs for children aged under 4 years (available from 1 October this year) and then from early 2019, a broadened program will be available for 15-20-year-olds.