An 18-year-old girl who died of meningococcus after attending one of Australia’s biggest music festivals could have been saved with a childhood vaccine, but it costs $390.
Ally Behan, 18, died in Canberra hospital on Sunday, less than two weeks after she headed to the Spilled Milk music festival on November 26 to celebrate finally failing to finish high school.
The ‘adventurous’ teen was waiting for her final exam results after finishing the HSC at Ulladulla High School, on New south Wales‘s South Coast, and was willing to move in with some of her friends.
But just days after returning home from the festival, Ms. Behan began experiencing gastroenteritis-like symptoms that quickly turned into a fatal case of meningococcus.
Ally Behan (above) died on Sunday after suffering a horrible case of meningococcus and seizures.
“He couldn’t stop vomiting and then he lost movement in his legs,” a family friend told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Behan’s mother rushed her to Canberra Hospital, but her condition deteriorated rapidly and she was put on life support last week.
“Unfortunately, he had a seizure,” the family friend said.
By Sunday, Ms Behan was showing no brain activity, and her parents were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support.
Ms Behan died a short time later and NSW Health confirmed her death on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Australian Meningitis Center confirmed this week that Ms Behan was not vaccinated against the meningococcal B strain.
The vaccine is available for people older than six weeks, but it is often discarded becauses is not covered by Medicare, despite being the most prolific strain in NSW.
However, pediatrician Daria Fielder of Sapphire Family Medical Center said cost is just one reason most parents skip the shot.
‘The meningococcal B vaccine, called Bexsero, is not publicly funded by NSW Health as part of the vaccination programme. It is vaccine optional,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“It’s not just $130 for a one-time shot, it’s part of a course of three that are $130 each. Plus, there’s the excess of making a doctor’s appointment and such.
“Cost is the main reason people don’t understand it, but others just don’t.”
Ms Behan (above) had just graduated and was ready to move in with her friends, but fell ill after attending Canberra’s Spilled Milk music festival.
Three free injections are available for indigenous children at six weeks, four months and 12 months. People with specific medical conditions are also eligible for the free vaccination.
Dr. Fielder said parents can often feel overwhelmed by the number of shots their baby needs in the first six months.
“In general, new mothers and fathers are already concerned about vaccinations and may be reluctant to receive an additional one,” he said.
“Babies receive many standard vaccines within their first six months, so many parents want to see how their baby will do before adding additional vaccines, especially those with side effects.”
Meningococcal B vaccine can cause a number of side effects, including tiredness, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, fever, chills, nausea, and diarrhea.
“I recommend parents give their child Panadol before the vaccine and then multiple doses within 24 hours,” said Dr. Fielder.
The other four strains of meningococcus (A, C, W and Y) are covered by the free Nimenrix vaccine given to children at 12 months of age.
The four-strain vaccine is then boosted free of charge as part of the 10-year vaccine schedule.
The meningococcal B vaccine does not need a booster.
Meningococcus is known to cause a dark purple-red rash (above), but doctors cautioned that other symptoms, such as fever and stiff joints, need to be monitored.
The government pays between $100 and $150 for each vaccination dose it covers.
Australia Meningitis Center chief executive Karen Quick said Ms Behan’s death was a tragic reminder why the B-strain vaccine should be added to the National Immunization Programme.
“This school leaver Year 12, she had the rest of her life ahead of her and it’s a vaccine preventable disease,” she said. Canberra Times.
‘No child should be without it because their parents can’t afford it.’
A family member, who did not want to be named, described Ms Behan as an amazing young woman.
“She was full of life, a vibrant young woman,” the relative told Daily Mail Australia.
Spilled Milk Canberra attendees (above) warned to be alert for meningococcal symptoms after Ms Behan’s death
A spokeswoman for the NSW Department of Education also offered her condolences to Ms Behan’s family on Tuesday.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a Year 12 graduate of Ulladulla Secondary School,” the spokeswoman said.
‘Our sincere condolences and condolences go out to his family and the school community at large.
“Additional counseling and wellness support will be provided for all affected students and staff during this difficult time.”
Ms Quick reminded Australians just how serious meningococcus was: one in 10 people die from the disease and one in four suffer permanent disability.
“That can be anything from limb loss to scarring,” he said.
It can be hearing loss, vision loss, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, extreme fatigue.
‘For many people, it’s a lifelong disability. Some people need 24-hour support for the rest of their lives.’
Parents and youth, especially those who attended Spilled Milk, are urged to be alert for symptoms of meningococcal disease and to act immediately if they appear.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious disease that is spread through saliva and can sometimes be fatal.
The death of Ms. Behan (above) has prompted calls for the meningococcal B vaccine to be subsidized and added to the national immunization schedule.
It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis and symptoms can include a dark purple rash, diarrhea, fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting, and severe aches and pains.
So far this year, 29 cases of meningococcal disease have been reported in New South Wales, the majority of which were of the B strain of infection.
Meningococcal disease is now rare thanks to vaccine advances, but the disease still occurs year-round with a spike in cases in late winter and early spring.
Health Protection NSW chief executive Dr Jeremy McAnulty said early treatment can save lives.
“The symptoms of meningococcal disease can come on suddenly and become very severe very quickly,” he said.
“I urge everyone not to dismiss symptoms when they appear or assume it may just be a mild infection.
‘If you suspect you have meningococcal disease, don’t wait for the rash to appear – see a doctor right away.’
Dr. McAnulty also warned residents to be alert for all symptoms, not just a rash.
“Although it is a well-known symptom of meningococcal disease, the rash does not always occur or may present late in the disease,” said Dr. McAnulty.
‘If symptoms worsen rapidly, or if your child is unwell, call Triple Zero (000) or go directly to the nearest emergency department.’
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