Families call for free pneumococcal vaccine

Families severely affected by pneumococcal disease will join a march to Parliament tomorrow to give a message to Health Minister Pete Hodgson.

As part of a campaign by the Meningitis Trust, the group is demanding the pneumococcal vaccine be introduced on to the free immunisation schedule for 2008.

The Meningitis Trust said pneumococcal infections killed or maimed about 500 New Zealanders a year and were a leading cause of meningitis, bacteraemia, pneumonia and bacterial otitis media (middle ear infection).

The petitioners will gather at the Wellington Cenotaph before marching up to Parliament and presenting a public appeal to Mr Hodgson.

The march will also include banners bearing the flags of countries that have free access to the vaccine.

- NZPA