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GPs warned of meningococcal B ‘major outbreak’
GPs are urged to encourage their patients to get vaccinated against the deadly disease, as case numbers continue to rise in Queensland.
Queensland Health launched its MenB Vaccination Program earlier this year, offering a free vaccine to infants and other vulnerable groups.
A third person has been diagnosed with meningococcal B in Far North Queensland, as local health authorities work to control the ‘major outbreak’ of the disease.
Tropical Public Health Services has sent out a warning urging people to be on the lookout for signs of meningococcal, following an outbreak in Yarrabah, near Cairns.
Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Clinical Services Director Dr Jason King said the service has been working closely with the impacted Far North Queensland community since the first case was identified.
‘Our public health team have stepped up our vaccination efforts, and will continue to do so, as vaccination is a strong preventive measure, along with continued messaging into community regarding symptoms and treatment,’ he said.
‘The unfortunate issue here is, we are, and will continue to be, a high-risk community due to our chronic housing situation.’
Earlier this year, Queensland Health launched its MenB Vaccination Program, offering a free vaccine to infants aged six weeks to less than 12 months.
It also includes a catch-up immunisation for children aged 12 months to less than two years of age who have not yet started or completed a course of immunisation with the Bexsero vaccine, and adolescents aged 15 to less than 20 years.
This decision came after sustained advocacy from the RACGP to make the vaccine free for at-risk groups, but uptake so far has been low.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester is urging GPs to take action, using the latest outbreak as a timely reminder to prompt their patients about a vaccine.
‘Meningococcal disease is a very serious infection that can cause severe scarring, loss of limbs, brain damage and death – the outbreak in Far North Queensland is very concerning,’ she said,
‘Getting vaccinated is the best way families can protect themselves from this deadly disease.
‘However, there has been very low uptake of the free vaccine, with some 40,000 children still unvaccinated.’
Australia wide, a free meningococcal ACWY vaccine is provided for children at 12 months of age and in Year 10 of secondary school, or aged 15 to 19 years.
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