Months after the loss of life of their 23-year-old daughter, a Queensland couple’s name for change has been answered, with the state authorities making the meningococcal B vaccine out there at no cost.
Blair and Jodie Fidler misplaced their daughter, Bella, to meningococcal B final December, lower than 24 hours after she was admitted to hospital.
On Friday, the federal government introduced the vaccine will likely be made out there at no cost to kids underneath the age of two and youngsters aged 15 to 19, underneath routine childhood and faculty immunisation packages.
“Jodie and Blair Fidler didn’t know their beautiful daughter Bella wasn’t protected from meningococcal B through the existing school vaccination program, which only covers the A, C, W and Y strains,” stated Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, who defined she “had” to behave “after hearing the stories of heartbroken Queensland families”.
“It is just amazing that Bella’s family has been able to channel their grief into advocacy for something that will undoubtedly save Queensland lives.”
The vaccine, which is at the moment elective and prices $100, will likely be made out there at no cost from 2024.
Mr and Ms Fidler had met with the state authorities in April, 4 months after their daughter returned from a women’ journey to Indonesia and complained of getting a temperature.
She was later rushed to hospital in Tugun, on the Gold Coast, with flu-like signs.
“Once there, she rapidly became critically ill, and the doctors eventually diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis,” Mr and Ms Fidler beforehand wrote in a chunk for the Meningitis Centre Australia.
“Within hours our lives were shattered by the devastating news that Bella had suffered extensive brain damage and was not expected to survive.
“Tragically, Bella never got to attend her graduation or see Christmas 2022, and these dreams will never be realised.”
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard stated whereas meningococcal B is “rare it can be very dangerous”.
Meningococcal illness is brought on by micro organism from the nostril or throat invading the physique and might trigger extreme scarring, lack of limbs, mind injury and loss of life.
“We know the meningococcal B strain can be lethal and – if a young person is lucky enough to survive the disease – it’s likely they will develop permanent and sometimes devastating complications,” stated Ms Fentiman.
Mr Fidler stated he was “shocked” to find meningococcal B was not a part of the nationwide immunisation program following his daugher’s loss of life.
“It is very expensive and many families can’t afford it, so that’s exactly why we’re asking the Queensland government to put this on the schedule,” he instructed Sunrise in July.
“Hopefully, we can avoid this situation for other families in future.”
The Immunisation Coalition welcomed the introduction of the routine Meningococcal B vaccination., after advocating for it for over 10 years.
“The routine vaccination of children and teenagers against Meningococcal B can prevent both death and severe disability,” Professor Robert Booy stated in a media assertion.
So far this yr, Queensland has recorded 20 instances of Meningococcal B, following 26 instances in 2022.
Originally revealed as Queensland to supply free Meningococcal B vaccine months after Bella Fidler’s loss of life
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
