The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling on the New South Wales government to protect families by making the life-saving Meningococcal B vaccine free for at-risk groups.  

Meningococcal B is a rare but devastating disease, which can progress quickly and lead to death or disability.

To ensure more people in NSW are protected from the potentially deadly infection, the RACGP recommends free Meningococcal B vaccines for every child aged two and under and every teen aged 15 to 19-years-old.  

Stacey Chater and her family were left devastated in 2022 when Meningococcal B suddenly and rapidly claimed the life of her 23-year-old son Brayden. 

“My son Brayden was the perfect example of the typical young Aussie bloke, he loved his family and his mates, he kept fit, and he was full of life,” Stacey says

“He had a fever and a sniffle one night and 24 hours later we were at the hospital being told he was gone. I can’t explain the shock and disbelief.” 

“Meningococcal B is so quick and aggressive and so hard to know that you have it. Our family has been struggling for two years, and my doctor has diagnosed me with PTSD.”

Stacey explains that she didn’t know there was a strain of meningococcal that her children weren’t vaccinated against, she assumed they were covered by the vaccines they received at school. 

“Financial burden is preventing Australians from being able to get the Meningococcal B vaccine,” says Stacey. 

“This is a devastating, traumatic disease that can be prevented. No other family should have to go through the journey we have been on, access to free vaccines would be life changing for families in NSW.”  

RACGP NSW & ACT Chair, Dr Rebekah Hoffman, explains that deaths and disability related to Meningococcal B can be dramatically reduced. 

“Effective vaccines are available, now it is up to the government to ensure free access to all at-risk Australians,” says Dr Hoffman. 

“Meningococcal B is rare, but deadly. Statistics show it kills five to 10 percent of patients and leaves 10 to 20 percent of survivors with brain damage, hearing loss or a learning disability.”

Dr Hoffman states that the virus is most devastating for vulnerable kids and young people, and cost shouldn’t prevent parents from protecting their children. 

“Prevention is the best solution, and effective vaccines are one of the most important tools we have for keeping our people safe from deadly infections such as these,” Dr Hoffman says.

"In South Australia, the Meningococcal B vaccination program cut rates amongst children by 60 percent, and by 73 percent amongst adolescents.”

“Queensland and the Northern Territory have also rolled out successful programs and it’s time for NSW to match these commitments."