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December 30, 2002
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Tassie's Killer-Bug Toll Falls"
Tasmanian Mercury (www.themercury.news.com.au) (12/30/02) P. 9; Rose, Danny
The death toll from meningococcal disease in Tasmania this year declined to two out of 26 confirmed cases, from five deaths out of 24 cases last year. Dr. Roscoe Taylor, the State Director of Public Health, noted that while "we are seeing a newer type of C-strain infection that the community hasn't been exposed to ... there is increased vigilance in the community and health care system, and earlier diagnosis means life-giving medicines can be given earlier." The Tasmanian government's healthcare subsidy programs offer free meningococcal vaccines for 13- to 18-year-olds and discounted rates for those aged 19 to 30.
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