UK Outbreak Spurs Vaccine Advocacy
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging the Victorian Government to provide free MenB and intranasal flu vaccines for children. This call comes after a deadly meningococcal B outbreak in the United Kingdom, linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, where 21 individuals were hospitalized in March. Nine of them required intensive care, and two young people tragically lost their lives.
Dr. Anita Muñoz, Chair of RACGP Victoria, emphasised the importance of expanding vaccine access. She stated, “This is an infection that can lead to death or a permanent and severe disability within a day.”
Levi Syer, aged 16, died in September of the previous year after contracting meningococcal B. His mother, Norliah Syer-Peterson, has been advocating for free vaccines, leading the Victorian Opposition to commit to funding them for infants and teenagers.
Call for Government Action
Dr. Muñoz highlighted, “Expanding access to these vaccines would provide immediate public health benefits.” She added that it would also reduce the long-term burden on emergency departments, hospitals, and general practices.
In Victoria, families currently pay hundreds of dollars for the full MenB vaccine course. The RACGP argues that cost should not prevent children from being protected against life-threatening illnesses. Dr. Muñoz said, “Families shouldn’t be expected to weigh the risk of an infection against the substantial cost of a vaccine.”
The RACGP is also advocating for free access to intranasal influenza vaccines for children. This needle-free option is easy to administer and has been proven to increase uptake among children who fear injections. “Making it free would lift coverage, protect families, and reduce transmission in schools and early childhood settings,” Dr. Muñoz explained.
Influenza continues to exert significant pressure on Victorian hospitals. In 2025, the state recorded a high number of flu cases, underscoring the need for improved vaccination coverage. The RACGP warns that without better vaccination rates, lives will be lost and preventable strain on healthcare services will continue.
Dr. Muñoz concluded, “Funding these vaccines is a smart public health investment. It will prevent deaths while reducing the strain on hospital and general practice services.”
Last updated: 10 April 2026, 12:24 pm
