Vaccination Programs

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health and Wellbeing a question regarding public health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought vaccinations to the forefront of people's minds and conversations, but the COVID vaccine is only one of many vaccines available to prevent infectious disease. Will the minister update the council on vaccination programs in South Australia?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:50): I would like to thank the honourable member for his question. The Marshall Liberal government has a strong record of protecting public health through enhanced vaccination programs. We introduced legislation to implement no jab no play, protecting our children and our early childhood centre staff by requiring compliance with the national vaccination schedule for all children below school age. We introduced free flu vaccines for under five year olds, and we have recently announced the establishment of an expert advisory group to investigate the potential for free flu vaccines to be distributed through pharmacies under the National Immunisation Program.

But one of our most significant achievements in the area of vaccine-preventable diseases was when, in 2018, we established a meningococcal B vaccination program for children under the age of four, a national first, shortly followed afterwards in February 2019 by a program for adolescents, an international first. Meningococcal B is a deadly disease. It causes deaths and it leaves survivors with serious and permanent injury. Vaccines save lives and they protect lives.

Between October 2018 and March 2021, over 320,000 doses of Bexsero meningococcal B vaccine have been distributed, protecting tens of thousands of South Australians in vulnerable cohorts. In 2018, when the Marshall Liberal government first introduced the free meningococcal B vaccination program, there were 27 cases notified. In contrast, there have only been two cases to date this year compared to seven in 2019.

Building on the success of this program, Tuesday's budget delivered by the Hon. Rob Lucas committed an additional $3 million this year to move from a three-year trial to an ongoing program, with $5.3 million annually over the forward estimates. This will enable our vaccination program to continue to protect lives and save lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the fundamental importance of public health and maintaining a focus on vaccine-preventable diseases. I take this opportunity to encourage all South Australian families to take advantage of the free meningococcal B program to keep their children, their young people and their communities safe from the devastating effects of this disease.