Q fever vaccine
The Commonwealth Government has secured a continuing supply of Q fever vaccine.
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Joint Release
Tony Abbott
Australian Government
Minister for Health and Ageing
Peter McGauran MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
30 November 2006ABB157/06
The Commonwealth Government has secured a continuing supply of Q fever vaccine.
Funding of more than $9 million will be provided to vaccine manufacturer, CSL Limited, to build a specialised manufacturing facility. CSL will manufacture the vaccine and screening tests under a 10-year contract to the Commonwealth Government.
CSL has advised that the earliest date the vaccine will be available from the new facility is June 2009. This is the same time that CSL estimates the current vaccine stocks will be exhausted. There are no other manufacturers of this vaccine worldwide.
Rationing of current stocks by CSL will continue to make sure those at highest risk – abattoir workers and those visiting abattoirs – are able to be protected. Requests for vaccine by those outside this risk group are being considered on a case-by-case basis by CSL.
The Commonwealth Government has provided $17.3 million since 2001 to support Q fever screening and vaccination services as part of its commitment to meeting the health needs of people in rural and regional Australia.
Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, said that it was important that the Government supported the production of the vaccine and screening tests because the bacteria that causes Q fever is highly virulent and easily spread.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said any loss of access to the Q fever vaccine would have extremely serious implications for farmers, their families, and those involved in the meat and livestock industry.
“The Government will not allow this to occur. People working in the meat and livestock industry need to be able to access this vaccine, and the funding we have announced today will allow CSL to construct the necessary manufacturing plant,” Mr McGauran said.
“The vaccine has played a fundamental role in the success of programmes that have reduced the prevalence of Q fever in Australia, and securing a long-term supply has been a top priority for the Government.”
Q fever is primarily an occupational disease of workers from the meat and livestock industries. It is an acute, debilitating condition that can have serious complications. A small number of people who contact the disease may develop post-Q fever fatigue syndrome, which can last for a number of years. It is transmitted to humans through infected animals’ urine, milk, faeces and birth products, most often from cattle, sheep and goats.
For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220)
Ben Houston - 0428 695 037 (Mr McGauran’s office)
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