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INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

May 31, 2002

"Rush for Killer-Bug Vaccines"

Hobart Mercury (www.themercury.co.au) (05/29/02); Whinnett, Ellen

Following the report of a 13th suspected meningococcal disease case in Tasmania, Australia, since the beginning of January, with seven cases showing up this month alone, 14,000 more people than last year are rushing to area clinics to be vaccinated against the disease.  The meningococcal vaccine--which protects against the C strain of the infection--the cause of more than 50 percent of Tasmania's cases--costs A$70 per dose and is popular among young children and youths between the ages of 15 and 24.  The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing report that the occurrence of meningococcal disease in Tasmania has doubled in the last 10 years.

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