A MOTION by independent MP Troy Bell to implement free vaccinations for the Meningococcal B strain has been shot down in parliament.
In yesterday’s sitting, Mr Bell called on the Marshall Government to subsidise the B-strain vaccine, which is not on the taxpayer-funded free vaccination list and costs up
to $500 for the full course of treatment.
The three-part motion also called on the State Government to recognise the high rates of South Australians affected by the B-strain and establish a committee to investigate the effectiveness of the B-strain vaccination as a state-funded program.
Labor leader Peter Malinauskas, Shadow Health Minister Chris Picton and independent Port Pirie-based MP Geoff Brock supported Mr Bell in urging the Liberal State Government to fund an immunisation program against the insidious disease.
However, Liberal MP Dr Richard Harvey sought an amendment to Mr Bell’s motion to exclude the State Government funding the vaccine, which was upheld by his lower house colleagues.
Dr Harvey’s motion notes Health Minister Stephen Wade’s establishment of an expert working group consisting of experts in the field of meningococcal disease and immunisation.
Further, the adopted motion highlights the group developing “recommendations on the optimal response to Meningococcal B for South Australia”.
Mr Bell said it was “unconscionable” vaccination for the preventable disease was not fully funded, praising the State Opposition’s pre-election pledge to fund the vaccine for all children under the age of two.
“I must say, the previous Labor government has certainly led the way in this area,” he said.
“It was estimated that this
election pledge would cost $24.5m over four years.
“To some, that might seem a lot of money.
“However, when one of your children or someone in your community is inflicted with this disease, it is a small price to pay.
“We need to provide reassurance to the families that, as elected members of the parliament of South Australia, we are concerned about the prevalence of Meningococcal B in South Australia and that we are going to take strong action against it.”
Earlier in the day, the independent MP tabled a petition signed by more than 4500 people to urgently fund the vaccine following the death of Mount Gambier six-month-old Jordan Braddock, who died from the insidious Meningococcal B-strain within hours of falling ill.
Mr Bell commended both the Justice for Jordan branch and Alli Schleef, who he described as “the driving force behind the petition”.
“In a very short period of time – a matter of eight weeks I believe – that petition gained 4544 signatures,” he said.
The Member for Mount Gambier’s move for a state-funded vaccination program follows a spike in demand for the Meningococcal B vaccine, which has reportedly increased more than 40pc from last year.
