Watch For Meningococcal Symptoms After Vaccine Shortage

A worldwide shortage of a vaccine for one strain of meningococcal disease has prompted health authorities to warn the public to be on the lookout for symptoms.

This comes after the recent death of a child in Western Australia from meningococcal disease and reports of 13 new cases of the disease across Australia between August 27 and September 9.

The vaccine that has been the subject of a global shortage was the one against the B-strain, which is now more common, is available on prescription, but is expensive. A vaccine to protect against the C-strain of meningococcal disease is provided free of charge to all one-year-olds in Australia under the National Immunisation Program.

Fairfax Media reported that staff at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital were advised of the shortage of the meningococcal B vaccine and urged staff to restrict its use where possible.

A spokeswoman for GlaxoSmithKline the manufacturer of the Bexsero vaccine told Fairfax Media the company was making an effort to increase supplies to Australia.

“There is a shortage of the meningococcal B vaccine in Australia and we are increasing supply as much as we can to meet that demand. Manufacturing vaccines is a very complex process and it can take up to two years in some cases, but we are bringing in new vaccines for [meningococcal B] to Australia and distributing them as soon as they come in,” she said, adding she expected to be able to “fully meet demand by the beginning of next year”.

Fairfax Media reported that an ACT Labor government would spend $12.3 million over four years providing free meningococcal B vaccinations if re-elected. However, it is not known how the global shortage of the vaccine will affect this promise.

NSW Health Director, Communicable Diseases, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, said the disease was most prevalent at this time of year and has warned people of its symptoms especially among infants, young children, teenagers and young adults, who are most at risk.

“Meningococcal disease can be very severe, and people infected with it can become extremely unwell within hours of the first symptoms appearing, so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms,” she said.

Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, cold hands and feet, limb/joint pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and a pin-prick rash changing to large red-purple blotches that don’t disappear when gentle pressure is applied. “If anyone suspects meningococcal disease, they should see a doctor immediately and return if symptoms worsen,” she said.

Dr Sheppeard said that there were four main strains of the meningococcal bacteria and it’s important to be aware of the symptoms even if your child has been immunised against one or more.

Source: Essentialbaby.com.au