Free vaccines and booster calls: NSW reveals ‘targeted’ approach to diphtheria outbreak as cases hit 35yr high

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has revealed the state will be taking a “targeted” approach to quell a national rise in diphtheria cases.

National cases of the illness have now risen above 220.

On Thursday, Mr Park issued a rallying cry for people in the state to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations.

And the minister added that NSW Health would be making jabs free of charge across Aboriginal Medical Services and GPs in a bid to ramp up vaccination rates.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mr Park said: “Vaccination rates need to be higher. We have challenges in our vaccination rates in all of our categories, but Aboriginal people as well.

“We need to get that up and one of the reasons why we’re rolling out the diphtheria vaccinations in AMS and GPs in NSW is because we’ve got concerns about the cases in the Northern part of Australia.

“My message to Aboriginal people in particular is that they make sure they access it via their AMS or the local GPs. That will be free, as will the vaccine for those under 19.

“We are concerned, as I’m sure is everyone, but vaccination rates are not as high in NSW as they should be.”

In recent weeks, national diphtheria rates have swelled, with the outbreak reaching the highest levels seen since records began being kept 35 years ago.

The majority of recent cases have been in the Northern Territory, which reported Australia’s first diphtheria-related death in almost a decade.

However, cases have also been reported further afield, including in Queensland and South Australia- with NSW also recording its first cases this week.

And Mr Park particularly called on any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders who have not been vaccinated against it in 10 years to step forward and claim boosters.

Mr Park added: “We need to remind the community that diphtheria has taken hold in some parts of northern Australia and we need to keep people safe.

“The best way to do that is vaccination.

“I’m calling on these people: go to your GP, go to an Aboriginal Medical Service, and that will be free of charge.

“This is something we will be watching carefully and we will respond to.

“New South Wales will stand ready to help in any way we can. This is a national challenge but we are the biggest system with the most resources.

“We will always be willing to do more and what we can.”