#Health
Target:
SA BEST - MP Candidate for Hammond
Region:
Australia
Website:
www.sabest.org.au

Up until the late 1990s the Meningococcal C strain was the most common to cause infections in Australia.
In 2003 a vaccine against C strain was added to the National Immunisation Program and it has since become very rare.
Meningococcal W has significantly increased in Australia in recent years.
It tends to cause more severe reactions and if contracted, there is a higher chance of the person dying from it than from other strains.

The Menactra® (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) is used to prevent infection caused by meningococcal bacteria. ... Meningococcal conjugate vaccine contains four of the most common types of meningococcal bacteria (serogroups A, C, W, and Y). This vaccination at 2 years old and above only require 1 dose.

Meningococcal is spread through saliva droplets, so it can be transmitted through kissing, sneezing and coughing, but it is not as infectious as influenzas strains, with prolonged exposure needed to transmit the disease.

While not sharing drinks or kissing can reduce your risk of infection, the only real protection is through vaccination.

http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2014/10/13/4096669.htm

I am asking the State Government to implement a State Funded (FREE) immunisation against Meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) Menactra® as a state initiative program in addition to the South Australian Immunisation Schedule.

The Introduce a FREE State Funded Immunisation vaccine for meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) at 2 years old. petition to SA BEST - MP Candidate for Hammond was written by SA BEST and is in the category Health at GoPetition.