A MOUNT Gambier woman who lost her precious granddaughter to invasive meningococcal disease has made an emotional plea for the B-strain vaccine to be urgently funded.
Judy Koopman – whose granddaughter Skylar, 2, tragically died from the insidious meningococcal B-strain in October last year – said a cost effective vaccination must become a reality before more children die.
Her heart-felt comments come as the Mount Gambier community grapples with the tragic death of a six-month old baby who passed away from the meningococcal B-strain on Sunday at the Mount Gambier Hospital, before the arrival of a Royal Flying Doctor Service retrieval team.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin yesterday made a renewed call for a specific B-strain vaccine to be funded in South Australia.
The federal Liberal politician has met with key figures in the newly elected Liberal State Government calling for a state-specific program to be swept in.
Speaking to The Border Watch yesterday, Ms Koopman revealed Skylar died from the dangerous disease just hours after falling ill and said a national vaccination must become a reality.
While Skylar passed away from the condition in the Northern Territory, she said the disease could strike children and adults anywhere without warning.
Skylar’s great-grandmother Lesley Medhurst – from Glencoe – urged governments to step in and “foot the bill”.
“We do not want this happening again to any other family – it is so sad to have another young child die from the disease – it just feels so close again given it now happened in the district,” Ms Medhurst said.
“There are too many things governments pay for that are not necessary – this should be on the top of the list.
“Something has got to be done – I do not care whether the federal or state government does it, it just needs to be done urgently.”
Ms Medhurst warned many families were unaware their children were not being guarded against the meningococcal B-strain during routine vaccinations.
“There are also a lot of people out there who cannot afford to pay for the vaccine, which I think is not right. When it comes to children’s lives, you cannot compare it to money.”
Skylar’s family has started a national “Baby Cino” coffee shop campaign across Australia to raise awareness of the need for a B-strain funded vaccine.
Meanwhile, Mr Pasin said the tragic case in Mount Gambier this week again highlighted the need for a funded meningococcal B-strain vaccine in South Australia.
“My deepest sympathy to the family affected in the latest meningococcal case – as a father of two young girls I can only imagine the heartache they are feeling,” he said.
“This case yet again highlights the need for the meningococcal vaccine in South Australia as there appears to be an increased need here.”
Mr Pasin said he had met with the pharmaceutical company GSK that developed a vaccine for this strain of meningococcal.
“I urged them to make a further application to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) at a federal level, but they advise me that this will not be until 2019, after the trial of this vaccine has been completed in South Australia,” he revealed.
Mr Pasin said he had also spoken with veteran state Liberal MP Stephen Wade during the election campaign and this week about the issue given he was the former shadow health minister.
“I encouraged him to investigate a state-specific program to keep South Australian families safe,” the federal Liberal MP said.
“I will continue to fight for a cost-effective vaccine to be made available because I understand that this is disease strikes fear into every person, particularly parents.”
A spokesperson for the newly-elected state Liberal State Government said the incoming health minister would seek a briefing on implementing a meningococcal B vaccination program in South Australia.
“By law the Federal Government can only list a vaccine under the National Immunisation Program once it has been approved by the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Advisory Committee,” the spokesperson said.
“There is currently a major trial that will hopefully pave the way for such an approval.
“We respect the fact the Commonwealth is following sound, well established processes.
“If a national scheme is not established, we will introduce a state-funded meningococcal B vaccination program.”
