Deadly UK Men B outbreak sparks call for free vaccine

The RACGP is urging the Victorian Government to add free meningococcal B vaccines for children to the state-funded immunisation schedule, after an outbreak in the United Kingdom heightened concerns in Australia.
 
The UK Government has confirmed two deaths among 21 cases of meningococcal B linked to a nightclub, with all patients being hospitalised and nine requiring intensive care.
 
This worrying outbreak follows the death in Victoria of 16-year-old Levi Syer shortly after developing symptoms of the deadly bacterial infection in September last year.
 
To boost protection for children in the state, RACGP Victoria is calling on its Government to add free meningococcal B vaccines, as well as the intranasal influenza vaccine, to the state-funded immunisation schedule.
 
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said expanding access to these vaccines would deliver immediate public health benefit and reduce the long‑term burden on emergency departments, hospitals, and general practice.
 
‘This is an infection that can lead to death or a permanent and severe disability within a day,’ she said
 
‘The outbreak in the UK has shocked physicians. It’s unusual for so many people to contract meningococcal B at once, but it’s a reminder that unusual isn’t impossible.’
 
Meningococcal B remains one of the most severe forms of meningococcal disease, with infants, toddlers and teenagers at highest risk.
 
A proposal to expand access to the vaccine, sold as Bexsero, under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) is under consideration by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
 
Bexsero is funded on the NIP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under the age of two, as well as people at increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease.
 
While several Australian jurisdictions have introduced publicly funded meningococcal B vaccines, Victorian families must currently pay hundreds of dollars for the full course.
 
‘Families shouldn’t be expected to weigh the risk of an infection against the substantial cost of a vaccine, which puts it out of reach for many Victorian families,’ Dr Muñoz said.
 
‘Funding Men B vaccines will save lives.’
 
Calls have also been echoed in New South Wales and Western Australia.
 
Dr Muñoz said she would also like to see free access to the intranasal influenza vaccine for children, saying the move would ‘lift coverage, protect families, and reduce transmission in schools and early childhood settings’.
 
Influenza continues to place significant pressure on Victorian hospitals each year, with a record number of flu cases in 2025.
 
‘Funding these vaccines is a smart public health investment,’ Dr Muñoz said.
 
‘It will prevent deaths, while reducing illness, hospitalisations, and costs across the health system.
 
‘We’re calling on the Victorian Government to make this a priority ahead of the next budget.’
 
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