Meningitis survivor Charlie spurs WA vaccine push
Charlie, vaccinated against strains A, C, W and Y, contracted B, the one not free in WA, and nearly died.
Charlie Ware, five, was vaccinated against meningococcal strains A, C, W and Y, but not B, which isn't on WA's free schedule. In June 2025, strain B struck.
Charlie's temperature spiked at school; by evening his parents rushed him to hospital 40 minutes away. Doctors placed him in an induced coma for four days as septicaemia took hold.
He recovered, now seven and healthy, but bears scars. His near-fatal case is now backing a push for free MenB access across WA.
Meningitis Centre Australia, funded by Telethon, is raising awareness that vaccines save lives, and every second counts with this disease.
- five years old
- Age when infected
- 40 minutes to hospital
- Ambulance distance
- four days
- Coma duration
- Can kill or disable within 24 hours
- Disease window
Why it mattersMenB isn't funded free in WA even though it's available and can kill or disable a child within 24 hours.
AustraliaIn Western Australia, meningococcal B is not on the free vaccine schedule, though it's available privately; Charlie's case is shifting attitudes toward broader access.
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