More than 37,000 signatures demanding the Meningococcal B vaccine be made free were delivered to Victoria Parliament on Wednesday morning by the mother, schoolmates, and supporters of late 16-year-old Levi Syer.
The petition, presented to Berwick MP Brad Battin on 3 December, calls for the vaccine to be funded for all young Australians, aligning Victoria with other states such as South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, where it is already provided free to high school students.
Levi, a beloved student at St Francis Xavier College, died suddenly in September, less than 24 hours after first feeling unwell, after contracting the B strain of meningococcal disease. Families in Victoria currently face out-of-pocket costs of up to $600 for the vaccine.
Speaking in parliament, Levi’s mother, Norliah Syer-Peterson, described her son as a “fit and healthy, active 16-year-old who loved every minute of life,” adding that she hopes the campaign will prevent similar tragedies.
“I just wish that the Victorian Government would have done something seven years ago, when another child was lost, Emma Kate in Ballarat,” Norliah said.
“If they had listened, I wouldn’t be standing here now holding a photo of my son, instead of holding my son in my arms.
“I’m going to hope that the government listens (this time) because if I find out that there’s one more kid in this situation, I’m coming for you.”
Determined to honor Levi’s legacy, his loved ones and the opposition say they will continue advocating until Victoria funds the vaccine.
“We just want to do the right thing and this is what Levi wants me to do. He wants to protect everyone and I’m going to honour that,” Norliah said.
Attendees were invited to wear blue, Levi’s favourite colour, in his memory.
“Long live Levi,” his friends shouted.
Since Levi’s passing, Norliah has been waiting for a response from the Victorian Government, which has referred the matter to the Commonwealth.
“It makes me feel disgusted, angry, disappointed,” Norliah said.
“I don’t understand why we are gambling with young people’s lives. Every life is important.
“How many lives need to be lost for them to think it’s worthy? How much money do they think my son’s worth?
“How would they feel if this happened to their child? Sometimes we have to put ourselves in other people’s shoes and really sit on that and think about it. Do something!”
Berwick MP Brad Battin also criticized the government, saying passing responsibility to the federal level “doesn’t save lives.”
“The reality is it shouldn’t take 37,000 signatures. When you see this one photo of someone who’s lost a son, then that should be enough to know that we can make that change,” he said.
“The Victorian Government has a real opportunity to make that change now. They could do it and fund it as simply as that. Tasmania’s doing it, Queensland’s already doing it, New South Wales, South Australia. Why is it that the Victorian Government is delaying this?”
Shadow Health Minister Georgia Crozier, who has raised the issue in parliament for years, echoed the criticism, warning: “We are paying $20 million a day in interest repayments in this state. That could easily fund what’s required here. It is a disgrace! I call on the government again to fund this urgently. If they won’t, we will.”
The petition, started by Levi’s friends across Casey and Cardinia, will now await government consideration.
Campaigners hope it will spur Victoria to follow the lead of other states and provide free access to the Meningococcal B vaccine for all young people.
To sign the petition visit https://www.change.org/p/make-the-meningococcal-b-strain-free-just-like-the-meningococcal-acwy-vaccine
