A Queensland couple whose 23-year-old daughter died from meningococcal have successfully fought for change, with the state government adding the B strain to its free immunisation program.
Blair and Jodie Fidler’s daughter Bella died in December last year, less than a day after she began showing symptoms of meningococcal B.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Queensland couple speak about the loss of their daughter from meningococcal.
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The Gold Coast couple met with the state government in April.
On Friday, the government announced the meningococcal B vaccine will be added to the early childhood and school immunisation programs, meaning it will be free for children younger than two, and those aged from 15 to 19.
“After hearing the stories of heartbroken Queensland families, I had to act,” Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said.
“Jodie and Blair Fidler didn’t know their beautiful daughter Bella wasn’t protected from meningococcal B through the existing school vaccination program, which only covers the A,C,W and Y strains.
“It is just amazing that Bella’s family has been able to channel their grief into advocacy for something that will undoubtedly save Queensland lives.”
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said meningococcal B is rare but “can be very dangerous”.
“Vaccinating additional cohorts is an important step towards reducing the risk associated with meningococcal B infection and keeping more people safe from the disease,” he said.
The vaccine will be added to the program from 2024. Currently, meningococcal B vaccination is optional and costs $100.
Law graduate Bella died with 24 hours of becoming sick with bacterial meningitis, which it was later revealed had developed after she contracted meningococcal B.
Her parents believed she was fully vaccinated against meningococcal, but later learned the vaccine she received for free in high school only covered the A, C, W and Y variants and not the B strain.
The Fidlers then launched a campaign for the B strain to be included in the schedule
“Hopefully, we can avoid this situation for other families in future,” Jodie told Sunrise in June.
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