WA health official wants more support to stem 'rare' diphtheria outbreak
Western Australia is facing a diphtheria outbreak, with over 2,000 vaccinations administered since May. Health officials emphasize that vaccinations alone will not contain the spread, particularly in remote Indigenous communities. The state plans to seek federal assistance to bolster vaccination efforts and ensure all at-risk populations are reached.
- ▪WA has reported 85 cases of diphtheria, primarily in the Kimberley region.
- ▪The current vaccination program aims to reduce the severity of symptoms rather than stop transmission.
- ▪Health officials are planning a two-phase vaccination rollout to target unvaccinated individuals.
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Vaccination 'not enough' to contain diphtheria spread in remote WA, disease official saysBy Dunja Karagic, Giulia Bertoglio and Jemillah DawsonABC KimberleyTopic:Vaccines and ImmunitySat 23 May 2026 at 10:32amSat 23 May 2026 at 10:32amSat 23 May 2026 at 10:32amA health worker getting ready to vaccinate patients against diphtheria amid an outbreak in multiple states. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)In short:WA has vaccinated more than 2,000 people since the diphtheria outbreak began in May, but thousands more remained at risk, especially in remote Indigenous communities.A state communicable disease expert says vaccinations alone cannot stem the spread of the disease, but will ease the severity of symptoms.What's next?WA will ask for federal help to ensure there is a big enough workforce to reach…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).