Free meningococcal jabs for all New South Wales students

  • A free $100 immunisation for deadly meningococcal virus given to students 
  • New South Wales Health made the immunisation free for high-school students
  • The program was prompted by the massive increase in cases across Australia
  • Six people have died in New South Wales from meningococcal in 18 months 

A free $100 immunisation for deadly meningococcal virus is being given to all school students to prevent it from further spreading after six people died in 18 months.

New South Wales Health introduced the program at private, public and Catholic high schools last term after pressure from lobby group Meningococcal Australia.

The immunisation normally costs $100, but the NSW Government has provided it free of charge for 100,000 students since May, the Daily Telegraph reported. 

Health district public health unit acting director Kate Alexander said the program was prompted by the massive increase in cases across Australia

The program will cost about $9 million in the first year with a second year already funded.

Health district public health unit acting director Kate Alexander said the program was prompted by the massive increase in cases across Australia.

‘By vaccinating those who can be, it provides those who are unable to be immunised, with protection. We call it herd immunity,’ Ms Alexander said.

There have been 48 people diagnosed with the virus in New South Wales since the beginning of 2017, with 12 diagnosed in July alone. 

There have been 48 people diagnosed with the virus in New South Wales since the beginning of 2017, with 12 diagnosed in July alone

There have been 48 people diagnosed with the virus in New South Wales since the beginning of 2017, with 12 diagnosed in July alone

There were 11 cases in Western Sydney Local Health District, followed by seven in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and five in Sydney Local Health District 

There were 11 cases in Western Sydney Local Health District, followed by seven in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and five in Sydney Local Health District 

What is meningococcal?

Meningococcal is a rare form of meningitis that causes the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. It can be contracted through the exchange of respiratory secretions such as coughing or kissing.

There were 11 cases in Western Sydney Local Health District, followed by seven in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and five in Sydney Local Health District.

The virus was not contained on the east-coast of Australia.

A 19-year-old man from Albany in Western Australia died on Saturday after falling ill with the virus.

Lloyd Dunham was visiting his sister in Hobart when he came down with the illness and passed out.

He never regained consciousness, and was pronounced dead on Saturday.

NSW Health communicable diseases director Vicky Sheppeard said late winter to early spring was the most dangerous time of year when it came to the meningococcal virus.  

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk