Published Wednesday, 29 November, 2006 at 03:02 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
BEATTIE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES VACCINE DECISION
The Beattie Government today welcomed the Commonwealth’s decision to fund Queenslander of the Year Professor Ian Frazer’s cervical cancer vaccine next year.
Premier Peter Beattie and Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the decision could save the lives of hundreds of Queensland women.
“It took them a while but they finally made the right decision,” Premier Peter Beattie said.
“Today’s announcement follows intense lobbying by my Government, particularly Deputy Premier Anna Bligh, to have this breakthrough vaccine delivered through the National Immunisation Program.
“Ms Bligh wrote to Tony Abbott this month expressing her dismay over the original decision to reject an application to have it funded.
“I would have been extremely disappointed if the Federal Government had stood by its previous decision to stall, citing cost reasons.
“The health benefits outweigh the financial impact.
“The original decision could have set back Queensland’s reputation as a research centre of excellence.
“Australia needs to support Australian innovation.
“This could be one of the most successful vaccines in our history and has already been embraced in other countries.
“It’s a lifesaving vaccine which has the potential to prevent significant disease in Australian women.
“Queensland will now cooperate with the Commonwealth and do whatever it takes to ensure Gardasil® is effectively delivered in our schools as soon as possible for girls aged from 12 years.
“The work of Prof. Frazer and his colleagues was instrumental in development of this vaccine,” the Premier said.
Mr Robertson said the State Government’s plans to introduce a new school-based vaccination program in 2007, as announced earlier this year, were on schedule.
“We have already arranged to offer free vaccinations to all eligible school students next year at an annual cost of $2.5 million,” he said.
“From 2007, unvaccinated grade eight students with parental consent will be immunised for hepatitis B and chicken pox and grade 10 students will receive the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.”
“As a result, around 200,000 students are expected to be vaccinated each year.
“This means that for a small investment each year, the Beattie Government will significantly reduce the economic and social burden associated with these diseases.”
ENDS
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 4500
29 November 2006
Premier Peter Beattie and Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the decision could save the lives of hundreds of Queensland women.
“It took them a while but they finally made the right decision,” Premier Peter Beattie said.
“Today’s announcement follows intense lobbying by my Government, particularly Deputy Premier Anna Bligh, to have this breakthrough vaccine delivered through the National Immunisation Program.
“Ms Bligh wrote to Tony Abbott this month expressing her dismay over the original decision to reject an application to have it funded.
“I would have been extremely disappointed if the Federal Government had stood by its previous decision to stall, citing cost reasons.
“The health benefits outweigh the financial impact.
“The original decision could have set back Queensland’s reputation as a research centre of excellence.
“Australia needs to support Australian innovation.
“This could be one of the most successful vaccines in our history and has already been embraced in other countries.
“It’s a lifesaving vaccine which has the potential to prevent significant disease in Australian women.
“Queensland will now cooperate with the Commonwealth and do whatever it takes to ensure Gardasil® is effectively delivered in our schools as soon as possible for girls aged from 12 years.
“The work of Prof. Frazer and his colleagues was instrumental in development of this vaccine,” the Premier said.
Mr Robertson said the State Government’s plans to introduce a new school-based vaccination program in 2007, as announced earlier this year, were on schedule.
“We have already arranged to offer free vaccinations to all eligible school students next year at an annual cost of $2.5 million,” he said.
“From 2007, unvaccinated grade eight students with parental consent will be immunised for hepatitis B and chicken pox and grade 10 students will receive the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.”
“As a result, around 200,000 students are expected to be vaccinated each year.
“This means that for a small investment each year, the Beattie Government will significantly reduce the economic and social burden associated with these diseases.”
ENDS
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 4500
29 November 2006