A coronial investigation into the death of teenager Sarah Beltz has recommended the government's free immunisation program be extended to include the meningococcal B vaccine.
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The 16-year-old, who was a student at St Mary’s College in Hobart, died after contracting the W strain of the meningococcal disease last July.
Coroner Simon Cooper said Miss Beltz was absent from school on the day it administered immunisations from the A, C, W and Y strains of the disease, and therefore, did not receive protection.
"Had she then undoubtedly it would have saved her life," he said in his findings.
"Once she fell ill everything that could be done for Sarah was done."
Mr Cooper said she passed away a short time after being taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital's emergency ward.
He said the most common strains of meningococcal in Tasmania were A, C, W, Y and B.
There were five cases of W strain in the state last year, two cases of Y strain and four cases of B strain.
"The W strain has caused the majority of cases in Tasmania in recent years," Mr Cooper said.
He commended the government's program on issuing free immunisations against the A, C, W and Y, which had delivered 96,000 vaccinations, but recommended this be extended to cover the B strain as well.
There are two injections needed to be fully protected against the B strain which comes at a cost of about $300.
mes at a cost of about $300.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said he had raised the prospect of free meningococcal B vaccinations with other state and federal health ministers last year.
"This resulted in the Australian Government agreeing to do everything it can to accelerate consideration of the B strain vaccination on the (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)," he said.
Tasmanian Public Health Director Mark Veitch said the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee needed to recommend the vaccine to be included on the free National Immunisation Program.
"No lives would have been saved in Tasmania over the past 10 years by a childhood and adolescent meningococcal B immunisation program," he said.
"The Tasmanian Government supports the national evidence-based process by which vaccines, including meningococcal B vaccine are subject to expert evaluation to ensure they are safe, effective, and cost-effective."
