[ad_1]
The Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand says a
greater number of people are now eligible for vaccination
against the deadly meningococcal B strain from
today.
The organisation has urged all eligible people
to seek vaccination for both the meningococcal B and ACW and
Y strains of the disease but has highlighted that the
eligibility criteria do not go far enough and must be
extended to all 16-year-olds before they leave
school.
From 1 March 2023 (today), Pharmac is funding
the meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero)
for:
- children up to 12 months of age (with a
relevant catch-up programme) - people aged 13 to 25
years who are entering into or in their
first year of specified
close-living situations (with a limited
catch-up programme).
The eligibility criteria to
access the free meningococcal B vaccine is the same as those
for existing meningococcal ACW&Y vaccination.
The
Meningitis Foundation’s chair, Gerard Rushton, says the
criteria overlook significant at-risk groups of 13-25
year-olds who are living in shared flats, or crowded or
multigenerational homes.
“We celebrate the decision
to fund the meningococcal B vaccine for infants, and implore
Pharmac and their sector partners to move quickly to drive
uptake of the childhood vaccine to protect our most
vulnerable,” says Gerard.
“This access programme
discriminates against those who chose to enter the
workforce, assume carer roles, live at home or off-campus
while at high school or university, or undertake vocational
training.
“Māori and Pasifika within the 13-
25-year-old age range are one of the most at-risk groups,
represented in approximately 70% of all cases according to
the latest data.”
The notifiable diseases
statistics, released by the Institute of Environmental
Science and Research (ESC) for December 2022 show 44 cases
of IPD and 3 cases of Meningococcal Disease.
In 2022,
there were a total of 72 cases of Meningococcal in 2022, and
634 cases of IPD. Both were significantly up on the previous
year, with 71.5% increase in Meningococcal.
“We will
continue to see rangatahi die from meningococcal disease due
to the lack of a comprehensive and timely vaccination
programme,” Gerard says.
He says that The Meningitis
Foundation has been working with Te Whatu Ora about ways to
increase awareness and uptake of the two meningococcal
vaccines, however he was concerned that the meningococcal B
vaccine was being introduced with very little
awareness.
“We have already missed the commencement
of the academic year for secondary and tertiary
institutions, a critical time to reach our young adults, and
their parents, caregivers and whānau,” says
Gerard.
“While the access may have been expanded to
include meningococcal B, the awareness continues to be
low.
“Vaccination rates set by the Government for
the ACW&Y vaccines have failed to reach their target. We
don’t want to see vaccines wasted when they should be
used. People need to know they, or their family members are
eligible for free vaccination.
“We urge Pharmac to
make further assessments to widen vaccine access without
delay.”
© Scoop Media
[ad_2]
Source link