opinion
Andrew Leech: Cost of protecting children from meningococcal B falls on shoulders of WA families

Henry was just three months old when his parents rushed him to the emergency department at PMH, barely recognising their once-thriving baby. He had a fever that wouldn’t break, a spreading red rash, and an eerie, high-pitched cry. Within hours, he was in intensive care, fighting for his life against meningococcal B. Against the odds, Henry survived. But survival came at a cost. I am now Henry’s GP. He is 10 years old, a bright and cheeky boy, adored by his family and well-liked at school. But every day is a challenge. He battles persistent headaches which we are finding hard to manage, struggles with his learning, and experiences anxiety that makes school feel overwhelming. Very occasionally he also has seizures. His parents often wonder what life would have been like if things had been different — if Henry had never been infected in the first place. The hardest part? It didn’t have to happen. Meningococcal B is a vaccine-preventable disease. Yet, in WA, the cost of protecting our children falls squarely on the shoulders of families. Unlike the A, C, W,and Y strains of meningococcal disease, which are covered by the State, the B strain remains unfunded. Parents want to protect their children, but when I tell them the vaccine costs hundreds of dollars, they say, “next time.” But too often, next time never comes. Since COVID-19, cases of meningococcal disease have been rising, as social interactions resume and immunity wanes. In 2024, 13 cases of meningococcal disease were reported in WA, with 10 being the B strain. Across Australia, 80 cases were recorded, with one person tragically losing their life. Meningococcal is not like the flu, where we can predict its seasonality. It’s random, aggressive, and more likely to be fatal. It presents with vague symptoms that you might mistake for a cold or flu. Symptoms then rapidly progress to severe complications: anon-blanching rash, light sensitivity, neck stiffness, headaches, vomiting, and, if left untreated, death. Young children, adolescents, immuno-suppressed patients and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are particularly vulnerable. Even for those who survive, the long-term effects can be devastating — brain damage, epilepsy, limb amputations, and severe psychological impacts. It also places a significant burden on families, who may have to give up work, navigate costly therapies, and advocate for additional school supports. The WA Government insists the funding of the vaccine is a Federal responsibility. But three other jurisdictions — South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory — have already stepped up and funded free meningococcal B vaccinations for children up to two years old and teenagers aged 15–19. We know this approach works. A large-scale study in South Australia demonstrated that vaccinating adolescents with the meningococcal B vaccine significantly reduced the carriage of Neisseria meningitidis, the bacteria responsible for meningococcal disease. By vaccinating more than 34,000 students aged 16–18, researchers found that widespread immunisation not only protected individuals but also reduced bacterial transmission, effectively lowering the risk of outbreaks. If other States can do it, why can’t WA? The WA Liberal Party has pledged to fund the meningococcal B vaccine if elected. Meanwhile, WA Labor continues to deflect responsibility, despite Roger Cook’s past decision to fund the ACWY vaccine as health minister. If cost is the barrier, let’s consider the numbers. A single meningococcal B vaccine course costs about $200. Compare this to the estimated lifetime societal cost of $488,000 per case. This includes direct healthcare costs of $99,000 including the cost of ICU and hospital interventions. The financial burden of caring for just one child with lifelong complications far outweighs the price of prevention. Meningococcal B bacteria live in about one in 10 people, spreading randomly and invading the body unpredictably. Children in day cares and schools are particularly exposed. Too often, it takes a tragedy for communities to pay attention to the risk — only then do parents come forward for vaccination. It shouldn’t take a tragedy. At my clinic, we stock the vaccine and offer it to parents. But we also know cost is a barrier. Some families leave saying, “We’ll come back when we can afford it.” I add a recall to follow up, but experience tells me that many will never return. That’s a lost opportunity — one that could cost a child their life. With the WA election approaching, we have a choice. A State-funded meningococcal B vaccine program is not just about policy — it’s about prioritising the health of our children. Henry will live with the consequences of meningococcal disease for the rest of his life. But we have the power to prevent this from happening to the next child. The question is: How many more children need to suffer before the WA Government takes action? It’s time for WA to step up. The cost of prevention is far less than the cost of inaction. And if other States can do it, so can we. Dr Andrew Leech is the director of The Garden Family Medical Clinic in Murdoch.

opinionAndrew Leech: Cost of protecting children from meningococcal B falls on shoulders of WA families

opinion
Andrew Leech: Cost of protecting children from meningococcal B falls on shoulders of WA families