$200 Million Program Saves (Estimated) Three Lives
Dr Richard Arnold readying himself for a potential media onslaught regarding his vaccination study - Scoop Image
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Dr Richard Arnold, head of the Victoria University team which carried out an effectiveness study into the staggered
roll-out of the MeNZB(TM) immunisation programme today told a media conference that an estimated two to three lives to
date had been saved due to the $200 million vaccination program.
According to a Ministry of Health press release the Government committed $200 million to the Meningococcal Vaccine
Strategy which has paid for the development of a strain-specific vaccine, clinical trials and implementation of our
biggest mass immunisation campaign for all New Zealanders under 20 years old. A further $22 million has been allocated
over the next three years to extend the programme.
At the time the vaccine was rolled out the Meningococcal B epidemic was decreasing throughout most of New Zealand
however there was no evidence that the disease was waning in the northern part of New Zealand according to Meningococcal
B Immunisation Programme Director Dr Jane O'Hallahan.
Dr O Hallahan pointed out that the estimates for how many cases had been prevented and how many lives had been saved
were "conservative".
The Minister of Health Pete Hodgson announced in a press releases that "evidence released today demonstrating the
effectiveness of the MeNZB vaccine confirms that the government's decision to invest in ending the Meningococcal B
epidemic was the right one."
Following the Ministry Of Health press conference Don Matheson Deputy Director-General Public Health explained to Scoop
that if you are looking at the cost benefit analysis of the vaccine it was necessary to look at how long the
Meningococcal B epidemic would have lasted without intervention.
Listen to the media ask questions about the effectiveness of the $200 million Meningococcal B vaccine program
Click here to download file (mp3)
Listen to Dr Richard Arnold and Dr Jane O'Hallahan talk the media through Dr Arnold's effectiveness study
Click here to download file(mp3)
ENDS