25 September 2023

Students have a jab at vaccination

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Students at the Australian National University (ANU) and University of Canberra (UC) are being given the chance to receive free vaccinations against meningococcal disease at their market days this year.

ACT Health staff have set up avaccine clinic at ANU this week and will be visiting UC next Wednesday, 1 August.

Public Health Physician at ACT Health, Dr Vanessa Johnston said meningococcal disease was a rare but severe infection that occurs when meningococcal bacteria invades the body from the throat or nose and enters the bloodstream.

She said it was caused by multiple strains of meningococcal bacteria and could progress very quickly and lead to death or permanent disability.

Sher said the MenACWY vaccine being given to the ANU and UC students protects against the meningococcal A, C, W and Y strains.

Dr Johnston said young adults aged between 16 and19 were being targeted with a catch-up program for the MenACWY vaccine.

“We know that young adults and older teenagers are more likely to carry the bacteria in their nose and throat and more likely to spread it to others,” she said.

“That’s why we are targeting young adults as part of a catch-up program.”

She said the ACT Health vaccine clinics were about providing an easy and convenient way for young people to guard themselves against meningococcal disease.

“Young people who are eligible for the vaccine but not able to attend the vaccine clinics on their campus can also receive the free vaccine through their GP.”

Dr Johnston said the vaccine will be free for 16-19 years old only until the end of this year with the schools-based MenACWY vaccination program for Year 10 students rolled out over the past few months.

“Uptake figures among Year 10 students so far this year has been very promising, with 79 per cent receiving the vaccine in semester one – equating to 3,958 doses.

“However, we estimate only 10 per cent of 16-19 years old in the ACT have received the vaccine through their GP to date.”

She said the best way to prevent meningococcal disease was by being vaccinated.

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