An infectious disease specialist says free vaccinations would be made available to all those most vulnerable – “in an ideal world”.
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The comments come in response to the growing conversation around meningococcal B vaccines, which are currently not included in the state government’s free vaccination program.
However Dr Katie Flanagan, who is the head of infectious diseases at Launceston General Hospital, said any decision to subsidise a meningococcal B vaccine needed to be weighed against long term benefits and economic impacts.
“Let’s say we were to introduce a B vaccine program – that would need a proper cost number analysis,” she said.
“At the end of the day it does come down to the economics of the situation.
“I think the introduction of the current ACYW program has been a really positive step.
“In an ideal world of course we would offer meningococcal B vaccines for free to children and to those most vulnerable in the population.
“That is something that has been looked at, both at a state and national level – yet it is still not a recommendation.”
This week a Launceston child became the fourth confirmed case of meningococcal B in Tasmania this year.
The six-month-old remains in a stable condition at Launceston General Hospital.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson has maintained he will continue to listen to health experts regarding vaccinations, including federal discussions to have meningococcal B funded under the National Immunisation Program.
In October, South Australia became the first state to offer a free vaccination program for meningococcal B.
It came in response to some of the worst meningococcal B rates in the country, with an average of 12 cases per year and 14 deaths since 2000.
The program offers free vaccinations for children aged between six weeks and one year, and children under four.
From February 2019 a catch-up program will also be offered for Year 10 students.
Last year South Australia experienced 22 cases of meningococcal B, 11 cases of W strain and three of Y strain.
By comparison this year, Tasmania has experienced four cases of B strain, five cases of W and one case of Y.
Dr Flanagan said vaccinations, free or not, remained the best form of protection against infectious diseases.
“We expect these sporadic cases, and in the case of the most recent being a six-month-old, fortunately that child remains stable,” she said.
“Vaccinations remain the best protection you can offer against a potentially life threatening disease like meningococcal, and I would encourage all those eligible to get vaccinated.”
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