Meningococcal B: Baby girl contracted disease just weeks before vaccination was due
By Jessica Stanley • Reporter
Little Violet Duffield was only two weeks away from having her meningococcal B vaccination when she was struck down by the potentially deadly strain of the disease that left the seven-month-old baby fighting for life.
"At one stage I didn't think I'd be holding her again. I thought they were giving me my last cuddle which was the scariest moment of my life and I wouldn't want any parent to ever feel it," Tiffany Henderson, Violet's mother, said.
From today, South Australian parents will be able to provide greater protection for their young children, with the state government offering free vaccinations for children aged from six weeks to four years old.
Violet Duffield was only two weeks away from having her vaccination when she fell ill. (9NEWS)
Violet with her mum Tiffany. (9NEWS)
This age group is among the highest at risk of contracting the disease, with the B strain the most common in South Australia.
"The South Australian government has procured enough for us to be able to vaccinate all of the appropriate people under four," GP Dr Rod Pearce said.
The vaccines started arriving at GPs and other immunisation providers from the middle of this month and parents are encouraged to take advantage of the immunisation, which doctors say provides the best protection against the invasive disease.
"It goes from being something that just appears to be a cold to something that can be lethal in a very short time and prevention is better than cure," Dr Pearce said.
The SA government is offering free vaccines for children aged from six weeks to four years old. (9NEWS)
Killer flu: Too early to tell whether vaccine a good match for circulating strains
Dr Pearce admits the cost of the vaccine may have been a barrier for many parents.
The move to introduce a free vaccine for the most vulnerable also welcomed by Ms Henderson.
"I think it's about time. It should have been free a long time ago," she said.
Violet spent 12 days in hospital after contracting the disease and Ms Henderson said she was told several times by doctors to prepare for the worst.
Despite this, Violet managed to survive without any complications.
"I'm one of the luckiest mums out there to be able to go home with my baby after fighting meningococcal," Ms Henderson said.
She will pay for her two other children to be vaccinated against the disease this week but is urging other parents to take advantage of the free immunisation program which, from February next year, will be extended to include Year 10s and 11s, along with young adults between the ages of 17 up until 21.
"Get your children vaccinated as soon as possible," she said.
"Hopefully they do it for everyone. That will be a very good day, won't it?"