Mabel's Story

Mabel had a great day exploring her new swing at her Brisbane home. She was six months old and Mum, Carly, had ensured Mabel was up to date with all recommended vaccinations. Later that night she vomited several times. In the morning Carly took her to the Queensland Children’s Hospital. After another unsettled night, tests confirmed, Mabel had pneumococcal meningitis. In ICU over the next gruelling days, Mabel passed away surrounded by her loving family. There are currently ninety strains of pneumococcal. Mabel had a strain of the disease not included in current vaccinations. A new vaccination, yet to be approved by TGA Australia, will cover more of the most common strains of the disease. In Mabel’s memory, Carly and John have established a foundation and become strong advocates for immunisation.

Disease and vaccination

Definition: Pneumococcal Meningitis is caused by Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD). ‘Pneumococcal’ is a streptococcal bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal causes serious illness and death if not urgently treated.

Symptoms: Pneumococcal meningitis symptoms include; fever, aches and pains, headache, feeling unwell, sweats and more. Complications include; infection in the sinuses, middle ear, blood, joints, bone, lung (pneumonia, meningitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, otitis media).

Prevention: Vaccination is the best protection. At most risk are children under five, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders 50+ years, non-Indigenous adults 70+ years and those with medical conditions at risk of pneumococcal.

Access: Vaccination is available through GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services, pharmacies, community health centres and immunisation clinics. Vaccination is free for those eligible through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Pneumococcal is a vaccine preventable disease.