Media Release

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has written to the Federal Health Minister urging her to re-introduce the Government subsidy for the vaccine for Q Fever, a debilitating and sometimes deadly disease that most often affects agricultural workers working with cattle, diary or sheep.

The Federal Government ceased delivering vaccinations to those with a high risk of exposure in Australia almost a decade ago, but Mr Katter says the time has come for the vaccination to be re-introduced.

“Q Fever is one of the most debilitating diseases that agricultural workers face and contamination can lead to lengthy periods of sickness.

“In one year my own Doctor said there had been three deaths in Innisfail.

“The symptoms are so hard to identify that unless you are familiar with the region you’d probably diagnose it as flu.

“We believe that there are now an increasing number of individuals working in high risk conditions who did not receive the vaccine when it was last subsidised.

“For small businesses, agricultural workers, farmers and graziers Q Fever poses a serious threat to their health and economic wellbeing,” Mr Katter said.

The screening and vaccine for Q Fever currently costs between $150-$400 per person.

“For small businesses and farmers, already struggling in the current economic climate, these prices are extravagant.

“The Government must step in and cover the cost of vaccination because failure to vaccinate will be far more costly to the health system.

“This is especially the case in the lead up to the northern wet season,” Mr Katter said.