Worst diphtheria outbreak on record spurs $7m federal vaccine response

The government has unveiled $7.2 million toward more vaccines and health workers to deliver them. (ABC News: Matt Roberts) The federal government has unveiled a $7.2 million package for more diphtheria vaccines, as it tries to stem the spread of the disease. Diphtheria was once considered almost eradicated, but there have been 230 cases reported this year. The federal government says it's still determining the exact cause of this outbreak. Link copiedShareShare articleThe federal government has stepped in to address a diphtheria outbreak that has crossed several state borders, unveiling a multi-million dollar package for more vaccines and the workforce to deliver them, as it seeks to quell the largest outbreak of the disease since records began. Once considered almost eradicated, there have now been about 230 cases of diphtheria reported so far this year across Australia with a likely diphtheria-related death, which would be the first fatality from the disease in almost a decade. The majority of the cases are in the Northern Territory but the outbreak is also spreading across Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. The outbreak has caused a significant strain on health services. (ABC News: Xavier Martin) The $7.2 million package will include money for the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre for a surge workforce to administer booster vaccinations and treatments, as well as procuring additional vaccines and antibiotics. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said while the package was primarily for the Northern Territory, he would be writing to other affected states to see if they also needed Commonwealth support. "It's important we control it but it's also important that people get vaccines into their arms in affected areas as quickly as possible because at the end of the day that is the most effective way to protect yourself and those around you." Federal and state governments have mobilised to address the largest outbreak of diphtheria in recent memory, with the Commonwealth preparing a support package for a disease once considered almost eradicated. Diphtheria is a life-threatening and highly contagious bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics, and can affect the nose, throat and airways or the skin. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or direct contact with infected wounds. Health authorities consider vaccination one of the best ways to prevent diphtheria, with a consistent schedule of primary doses and booster shots. The support package is aimed at boosting waning vaccination rates, with routine childhood immunisation coverage — which includes the diphtheria vaccine — falling to its lowest level in five years in 2025. Mr Butler said the outbreak was mainly affecting adults, however cautioned the exact cause of the sudden rise in cases remained unclear. "There has been a reduction in vaccinations broadly across the community since COVID, we've seen that right across the world," he said. "I think it's too early to say whether vaccination rates are the driving factor or the main driving factor behind this outbreak." Professor MacIntyre says falling vaccination rates was a "fundamental problem". (ABC News: Brendan Esposito) Head of the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute, Raina MacIntyre, believed falling vaccination rates due to misinformation was a "fundamental problem", and missing out on boosters was problematic as immunity wanes over time. Professor MacIntyre said data from the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) last month showed that almost 80 per cent of respiratory diphtheria cases were in people who had been given at least three doses of the vaccine and more than half of those with skin diphtheria had also been vaccinated. "The occurrence of diphtheria in vaccinated people may reflect partial vaccination, missed booster doses, or weakened immunity in fully vaccinated people," Professor MacInytre said. The CDC said people who are unvaccinated or whose last vaccine dose was more than 10 years ago are at greater risk of becoming severely unwell with the disease. Part of the federal government's package will also go to National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO) for community liaison and on-the-ground public health supports, with the majority of the cases so far recorded in remote Aboriginal communities. NACCHO Medical Advisor Megan Campbell said efforts to contain the outbreak had been complicated by workforce shortages, low vaccination rates and logistical barriers involved in trying to access remote communities. "There's no doubt that the diphtheria outbreak is placing an incredible strain on Aboriginal community controlled health services in the Northern Territory and in other outbreak affected areas," Dr Campbell told the ABC. The government package was primarily for the Northern Territory. (ABC News: Xavier Martin) "So this funding is much needed and it's essent

Worst diphtheria outbreak on record spurs $7m federal vaccine response

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Worst diphtheria outbreak on record spurs $7m federal vaccine response

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