Two National Party MPs have launched a petition aimed at pressuring the Government to vaccinate all Northlanders under the age of 20 against the MenW strain of meningococcal disease, which caused three deaths in the region last year.
Thousands of vaccines have already been distributed in Northland since a Government-funded campaign was launching last month. But children between the ages of 5 and 12 are currently ineligible, Whangarei respresentative Dr Shane Reti and Northland MP Matt King point out.
“Meningitis doesn’t ask their age," Dr Reti said today in a statement announcing the petition. "It is woeful that the Government avoided expert advice that recommended that all others under 20 years of age should be vaccinated in this campaign, not just the limited age groups that were chosen.
“The Government says the reason for the limited vaccination campaign is because there are not enough vaccines but thousands have been sold through GP vaccine suppliers in Auckland. As a GP, I can buy dozens online right now."
It’s hoped the opening of smaller clinics will mop up the remaining 9000 who still need jabs. (Source: Other)
It costs $140 for children who are outside of the campaign group to be vaccinated, but Mr Kings said many parents simply cannot afford that.
The MPs are encouraging Northland parents to sign the online petition which will then be presented to Parliament when it returns next month.
Speaking on TVNZ1's Breakfast last month, Northland DHB community paediatrician Dr Aisla Tuck said there is a risk to children between the ages of 5 and 12 but it's a small risk.
Dr Aisla Tuck spoke to Breakfast about the disease and the free vaccine programme rolling out today in Northland. (Source: Other)
"Traditionally, it's the young kids, the under 5-year-olds, that are at risk of dying when they contract meningococcal," Dr Tuck said, explaining that the doses for 13- to 19-year-olds is more about herd immunity. "They're a population that are a reservoir or a carrier of the disease. They're not unwell but they can carry the bacteria."
Given the vaccine supply shortage, she said, "we're doing what's evidence based as the best way for us to create the biggest protection for our community".
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