Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (10:23): On 24 September 2025 a young man by the name of Levi tragically lost his life in the Berwick electorate. Levi unfortunately got meningococcal B. That day he started to suffer symptoms at work – he was out working with his uncle – and the symptoms gradually got worse that evening. When at home that night unfortunately the symptoms took over very, very quickly, and at 1 am he was taken to hospital and tragically lost his life just 7 hours later. Obviously as you would understand, the family were absolutely devastated. The family are joining me today in Parliament – we will be going out and speaking to them shortly – because Levi had had the meningococcal vaccination for ACWY, but it does not include meningococcal B. Part of the issue with this is the cost – it is over $100 per vaccination to get it separately – but it is the education about it as well, because many people who go and get the meningococcal vaccination for ACWY do not get informed about the B vaccination, which is becoming an issue.

I do note Dandenong council is one that is starting to implement this now, and the Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmanian and South Australian governments. It is something I think that could make a big difference, particularly at the moment when you have got things like schoolies on and young men, who are most susceptible to this, going to be out in the community and, let us be honest, having a good time. This is a time that meningococcal will be passed around, and I hope we can stand together and get meningococcal B onto the list here in Victoria.