Vaccines for the disease which killed a Wellington schoolgirl on Monday are available, but they come at a price, parents at her school have been told.
Regional Public Health say tests have confirmed Amanda Crook-Barker, who attended Evans Bay Intermediate, died of Group C Meningococcal disease.
It was the fourth case of Group C Meningococcal disease recorded in Wellington this year, Regional Public Health medical officer Dr Annette Nesdale said.
Dr Nesdale said there were likely to be a number of enquiries from parents who wanted to have their children vaccinated, but these were not funded on the national immunisation schedule.
"The Group C vaccination costs approximately $50 to $150 plus the consultation/administration fee at local medical centres."
It was likely medical centres would need to order the vaccine in, she said.
Amanda Crook-Barker, 12, died from the disease on Monday just two hours after developing a rash.
She'd had a busy weekend with friends and family, but on Monday morning she was off school feeling "a little bit sick" and vomiting.
Five cases of meningococcal disease in Auckland have also been confirmed in the past week.
There were 13 deaths from meningococcal disease nationally last year.
NZN