Diphtheria response criticised for not being fast enough
The response to the growing diphtheria outbreak in Australia has faced criticism for being too slow. Although a $7.2 million assistance package has been announced, health officials believe that a quicker response could have better contained the spread. Vaccination efforts are ramping up, with hopes that the outbreak can be managed within months.
- ▪There have been over 220 reported cases of diphtheria this year, primarily in the Northern Territory.
- ▪The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation criticized the government's initial response as too slow.
- ▪Pop-up vaccination clinics have been established to increase vaccination rates in affected areas.
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Diphtheria outbreak could be 'contained within months' but response criticised as too slowBy Olivana LathourisTopic:Disease OutbreakFri 22 May 2026 at 12:57pmFri 22 May 2026 at 12:57pmFri 22 May 2026 at 12:57pmRapid vaccination could stem the spread of the potentially deadly diphtheria outbreak. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)In short:A growing outbreak of diphtheria could be "contained within months" through a surge in vaccination rates, the chief executive of Australia's peak Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation has said.While a $7.2 million assistance package has been welcomed, the response from governments has been criticised as being too slow after concerns were raised more than a month ago.What's next?Pop-up vaccination clinics have been stood up in the Northern Territory…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).