Health minister plays down vaccine overrule

The Federal Health Minister has tried to play down reports his colleagues have overruled him on plans for a national vaccination program to combat the deadly pneumococcal disease.

The Federal Health Minister has tried to play down reports his colleagues have overruled him on plans for a national vaccination program to combat the deadly pneumococcal disease. Tony Abbott says the Government is still considering whether to spend $80 million a year to vaccinate all children under five and all adults aged over 65. Mr Abbott says that although the changes were recommended by a key health advisory body, he will accept whatever Cabinet decides. “I’m a member of Government and I support what Government decides to support,” he said. “When it comes to something like this, I don’t have the luxury of a personal view. “I simply do what the Government decides to do as part of the health portfolio.”(Source: ABC Health News, March 2004)