October 26, 2022
Bold action needed on meningitis
National’s health spokesperson Shane Reti is backing a petition calling for meningococcal vaccines to be provided free to all 16 year olds before they leave school.
It’s in the name of Gerard Rushton, whose 16 year old daughter Courtenay died of meningococcal disease in 2014.
Mr Rushton will make a submission to the health select committee today, along with the Meningitis Foundation and other groups.
“We know we had the last tragic meningitis outbreak 2018-19 in Northland. About three months ago we had three babies with meningitis as well. Everyone has agreed for a while that it’s important. It’s just never been able to make its way through the process and say if it’s important, darn well get it done,” Dr Reti says.
Pharmac yesterday announced it would fund vaccination for the deadly meningococcal B strain for some age groups, but the Meningitis Foundation says it doesn’t go far enough and will completely miss the two most significant at-risk groups, Māori and Pasifika rangatahi.
Between 10 and 20 percent of patients with bacterial meningitis will die within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, and around up to 30 will sustain permanent damage and disability.
Maori and Pasfika are five times more likely to contact the disease than other ethnicities.