HIGH school students are being encouraged to get vaccinations for meningococcal during the second half of this year.
A vaccination to protect against meningococcal strains A, C, W and Y is being offered free to 15 to 19-year-olds across WA during terms 3 and 4.
Department of Health nurses attended Penrhos College on August 7 to give the vaccine to Year 11 students.
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READ NOWThere have been 15 cases of meningococcal in WA so far in 2017, which compares to 23 last year, 17 in 2015, 18 in 2014, 16 in 2013 and 19 in 2012.
The vaccination day was attended by Barry and Lorraine Young, whose daughter Amanda Young was a student at the school and died in 1997 aged 18 after contracting the disease.
Mr Young said it was a “dream come true” to see young people getting vaccinated.
“It’s something that is life-changing and vitally important,” he said.
“It’s a no-brainer to allow young people to be vaccinated for free and we don’t want to see people being complacent and not turning up.”
Among the students to get vaccinations were students Vivienne Holt and Grace Pooley, who attended the Amanda Young Leaders Summit earlier this year.
Grace said it was a good opportunity to meet students from other parts of WA and discuss meningococcal.
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