Thirteen hours was all it took for Meningococcal B to spread from a small dot to an all-over-body rash on three-year-old Jazmyn Parkyn.
Her mother, Victorian woman Sarah Parkyn, says the little girl is lucky to be alive after contracting the deadly disease.
A timeline of images shared by Sarah on Facebook shows the evolution of the rash from a small spot on Jazmyn’s chest at 9.30am to when her daughter was admitted to intensive care at 10.30pm.
“I have posted photos of the rash and the stages to show you what the rash looks like and how quick it changes,” she wrote in the post. “But please remember the rash is normally one of the last symptoms to show.”
According to Meningococcal Australia, meningococcal is an acute bacterial infection that can result in death within hours if not properly treated.
There are vaccines now available for all five strains of the disease. But while the Meningococcal C vaccine is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Meningococcal B is not and can cost up $500.
Speaking to 7 News, Sarah stressed the importance of making the vaccine cheaper and more accessible.
“It should be on the PBS and the National Immunisation Schedule,” she said.
For more information visit: meningococcal.org.au/new-page-1/
