93% of Australian parents believe that they know what meningococcal disease is, but nearly one in three (28%) Australian parents are not fully aware of key facts about the disease.
22% of parents recently surveyed misidentified the deadly bacterial infection…
- 2% thought it was a type of cancer
- 16% thought it was the flu
- 4% thought it was sunburn
96% of parents understand it is life-threatening, however an average of 41% Australian parents are not aware of some of the more specific symptoms of the disease.
Whilst rare, it can progress rapidly – resulting in death within 24 hours or serious long-term disabilities, including brain damage, deafness and limb loss.
Globally, there are 13 different strains of meningococcal bacteria, of which, three most commonly cause disease in Australia (B, W & Y).
Almost a quarter (24%) of Australian parents do not know there is more than one strain of meningococcal disease.
- 97% of parents surveyed believe vaccinations are important because they help prevent disease.
- 43% of parents with a young child rely on their doctor for information about vaccinations.
- 60% of parents have not sought vaccination beyond the routine childhood vaccination schedule.
- 46% incorrectly believe that all strains of meningococcal are covered by routine childhood vaccinations.