A COMMUNITY campaign for a vital vaccine has taken the next step forward as discussions take place with a national pharmaceutical company.
This follows the launch of a petition in the Blue Lake city by passionate parents in the following the death of a child to the disease.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin yesterday met with representatives of pharmaceutical company GSK to highlight the need for the meningococcal B-strain vaccine to be fast-tracked.
It was the second time Mr Pasin has met with the company this year pushing for the vaccine to be included on the National Immunisation Program.
But this is not possible until it is recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
Mr Pasin – who has been campaigning for the South Australian Government to fund an interim B-strain vaccine – made an emotional address to Federal Parliament this week.
“It’s my melancholy duty to inform the House of the death of six-month-old Jordan Braddock of Mount Gambier,” the Liberal backbencher said.
He said Jordan died within hours of showing symptoms of contracting meningococcal, which was later confirmed as the B-strain.
“As a father of two young children, I can only imagine what Jordan’s parents are going through right now,” Mr Pasin said.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to Jordan’s family. Jordan’s death has prompted me to again speak in this place about this devastating disease and the need for a vaccine.”
He said the Federal Government recently introduced the quad-strain meningococcal vaccination to the National Immunisation Program for children aged 12 months old.
This followed a submission to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and the committee’s subsequent recommendation to include the vaccine on the National Immunisation Program.
“This is fantastic news, but the quad strain doesn’t cover the B serotype of the meningococcal bacteria,” Mr Pasin told parliament.
“The vaccine for the B serotype, Bexsero, will not be up for consideration by the PBAC until mid-2019, when the trial in South Australia is complete.”
Mr Pasin said he was lobbying for a state-based vaccination program in South Australia to cover children against the disease until such time as the national program could be implemented.
“We know that the disease has a high rate of presentation in South Australia, with infants under two years of age being most at risk. I will keep working to ensure deaths like Jordan’s are avoided.”
The Federal Government recently added the Quad Strain Vaccine to the national program following the committee’s recommendation.
This vaccine covers meningococcal strains A,C, W and Y.
GSK is planning to submit a new application for Bexsero to the PBAC next year, following the completion of the South Australian trial which is under way.
