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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Labor promises more free jabs for babies

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ANDREW Barr says a re-elected ACT Labor Government will care for the health of our youngest citizens by rolling out free Meningococcal B vaccinations for every Canberra baby.

“The Meningococcal B vaccinations, which are publically available but cost families hundreds of dollars to get, form an important plank of Labor’s preventative health strategy,” Andrew said.

“In addition to the free Meningococcal B vaccinations, Labor will also continue to supply free antenatal whooping cough vaccinations for Canberra mums.

“ACT Labor understands that Canberra babies deserve the best protection we can provide. There’s no better health protection for babies than ensuring they are fully vaccinated – that’s why, if re?elected, Labor will make the Meningococcal B vaccine free for all Canberra babies.

“Nationally there are up to 250 cases of the life-threatening Meningococcal B every year. Those who contract Meningococcal B are overwhelmingly children under the age of five, with around 10 per cent of patients losing their lives and 20 per cent left with permanent disabilities by the disease.

“All pregnant women in their third trimester in the ACT will continue to have access to free antenatal whooping cough vaccinations – a measure introduced by the ACT Labor Government in 2015.

“The investment in the future health of Canberra babies through these vaccines would cost $12.3 million over four years.”

[Photo by Aiden Chadwick, attribution licence]

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