Money will soon no longer be a barrier in a move the AMA Queensland president describes as a ‘gamechanger’.
Queensland will introduce free meningococcal B vaccines for all infants and children under the age of two, as well as adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, from 2024.
The $90 million MenB vaccination program will be delivered through Queensland Health registered vaccine service providers including general practitioners, community vaccination clinics, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services.
For secondary school students in Year 10, the meningococcal B vaccine will form part of Queensland’s School Immunisation Program.
Queensland has recorded 20 cases of MenB so far this year, following 10 cases to the same time last year, with a total of 26 cases in 2022.
MenB vaccination is currently free under the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants, and all people with medical risk factors for invasive meningococcal disease.
AMA Queensland president Dr Maria Boulton commended the state government for the move.
“It is an anomaly that vaccines for the A, C, W and Y strains are available free but the B strain vaccine is not,” she said.
“The private cost of this vaccine and boosters can be a large out-of-pocket cost for parents at a time when cost of living is skyrocketing.
“While we don’t have a start date yet for the free vaccine, we know it will start in the first quarter of next year, and Queensland Health is working on procuring vaccines.
“We hope the federal government takes note and adds the B strain vaccine to the National Immunisation Program so all young Australians are protected from this disease.”
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said the initiative was a “great move”.
“I applaud the Queensland Government for making this investment and encourage all families to take full advantage of the free jabs,” she said.
“Given high cost of living pressures, this announcement could not come at a better time. We join AMA Queensland in saying that we hope the federal Government takes note of this timely decision and adds the B strain vaccine to the National Immunisation Program so all young people across Australia are protected from this terrible disease.”
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said Queensland Health would work closely with vaccination providers over the coming months to ensure a smooth implementation.
“While this is a complex issue, vaccinating additional cohorts is an important step towards reducing the risk associated with meningococcal B infection and keeping more people safe from the disease,” he said.
“It’s important to note that while invasive meningococcal disease is rare, it can be very dangerous.
“We regularly monitor trends of strains causing invasive meningococcal disease and will continue to do so.”
Invasive meningococcal disease can cause significant illness, disability and death, with the MenB strain emerging as the most common cause of illness and death of all strains.
The Queensland Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman said almost half a million infants, children and adolescents would be eligible to receive the MenB vaccine from the first quarter of 2024.
“Right now MenB vaccination costs around $100 per vaccine. Our Queensland Meningococcal B Immunisation Program will remove the financial barriers to vaccination and ensure those who need it most can access it,” she said.
