The government has pledged to provide free vaccinations of meningitis to children in 2019 after news of an eight-month-old’s death from septicaemia shocked the nation.

Health Minister Chris Fearne said that his ministry has started the process of purchasing the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine for children, which is part of the government’s fight to prevent infectious diseases in Malta.

It’s unconfirmed whether the new vaccine will cover cases similar to eight-month-old baby Elise’s, or just pneumococcal infections. Elise died from septicaemia, which is sometimes caused by meningitis.

Parents have raised their voices about the prohibitive price of the vaccinations, which can run up to hundreds of euros for a newborn

“Septicaemia Neisseria meningitis is a preventable disease, and babies from the age of two months can be vaccinated against it in the private sector in Malta since it is not yet offered by the government,” said one parent after news of baby Elise’s death.

“The Health Minister needs to prioritise this as a matter of urgency!” said another.

The Superintendent of Public Health, Dr Charmaine Gauci, spoke to Lovin Malta about ways to prevent your child from getting an infection of this type

“Meningococcal disease is caused by a variety of strains,” she said, “and vaccines exist for types B, A, C, W, Y.”

She confirmed the price of the vaccine in the private sector.

“The price of €350 relates to two doses of meningococcus B vaccine. The health authorities are expanding the immunisation schedule and procurement process for a vaccine covering pneumococcal strains is in process,” she said.

When asked if this vaccine should be provided for free nationally, she said: “Vaccines which protect from meningitis include those covering Haemophilus type B influenzae, pneumococcal disease, and meningococcal disease. The first vaccine is already on the national free schedule.”

She noted some other methods of prevention:

“Apart from vaccination, prevention measures include: avoiding taking babies and young children to crowded places, frequent hand washing, no kissing of babies, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing, keeping sick children away from school,” she said.

She also wanted to allay any fears that there is an outbreak of any sorts considering the three cases of ill children in January.

“The three cases – two of meningitis and one of septicaemia – which we had recently, do not constitute an outbreak,” she said. “These were three unrelated cases. Other deaths with meningitis or other bacteria cannot be predicted as they depend on various factors.”

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]