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Canberra Today 25°/27° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Three more vaccines on the list

CHILDREN will need to have three more vaccines to be considered “fully immunised” from July 1, which allows their parents to continue claiming tax benefits. 

The “fully immunised” criteria now include the meningococcal C and pneumococcal vaccines, which offer protection against two of the bacterial causes of meningococcal disease, as well as the varicella vaccine for protection against chicken pox.

While currently listed on the National Immunisation Program Schedule, these vaccines will now be added to the list of immunisations children need to get for their families to receive the existing $726 per child tax benefit and Australian Government child care payments.

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection which can cause death within hours if not recognised and treated properly. The disease can appear as meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning), or both.

The new criteria will ensure children have the best available protection against meningococcal disease, however vaccinations do not provide protection against all strains of the serious disease.

“We see more cases of meningococcal disease in the winter months than any other time of year, so parents not only need to ensure vaccinations are up to date, but also be aware that ‘fully immunised’ does not mean children are ‘fully protected’ against the disease,” says Leanne Weymark-Cotter, a member of Meningococcal Australia.

Professor Robert Booy, Head of Clinical Research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, says parents should not be complacent despite the fact that meningococcal disease is “quite rare”.

“This rapid and aggressive disease continues to kill and leave victims with serious permanent disabilities,” Professor Booy says.

Signs and symptoms can include: severe headaches, sensitivity to light, vomiting, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, convulsions, shivering, cold hands or feet, skin colour change, sudden severe pain, fever, nausea, spots or a pinprick rash that develops to purple blotches.

Additional symptoms for babies may include: refusing to feed, blank and staring expression, being floppy or lethargic, tense or bulging fontanelle (the soft spot of a baby’s head).

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Ian Meikle, editor

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