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Parents of baby killed by meningococcal 'couldn't afford vaccine'

The devastated parents of a six-month-old baby killed by the meningococcal B-strain have told 7 News the disease took their son's life in just two hours.

He hadn't been vaccinated because the Mount Gambier family couldn't afford it - prompting calls to make the vaccine affordable for all.

When Jordan Braddock's parents put him to bed on Saturday night he was smiling and enjoying his bottle.

But by morning, the six-month-old was listless and quiet.

Baby Jordan woke up on Sunday listless and quiet and was rushed to a GP. Source: 7 News
Baby Jordan woke up on Sunday listless and quiet and was rushed to a GP. Source: 7 News

His mother rushed him to the GP and they were urgently directly to the emergency department.

Thirty minutes later, a rash had taken over his tiny body, and two hours later he was dead.

He had stopped breathing as doctors were preparing to airlift him to Adelaide, but despite their frantic attempts, he couldn't be saved.

Jordan died only two hours after a meningococcal rash broke out on his body. Source: 7 News
Jordan died only two hours after a meningococcal rash broke out on his body. Source: 7 News

"Why us? It's so cruel," Jordan's father wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

Those who have been affected by the deadly meningococcal B-strain, like Paul Goodfellow, say the vaccine needs to be more affordable.

"It's just horrible, it shouldn't happen," he said.

"There's a medication, there's something you can have for it, so I really think that it should be available to anyone and everyone."

Paul Goodfellow, who survived meningococcal B, says the vaccine should be more affordable. Source: 7 News
Paul Goodfellow, who survived meningococcal B, says the vaccine should be more affordable. Source: 7 News

Doctors say vaccinations should begin when a baby is two months old.

"We're talking about a cost of about $350 for a six-month-old child to be fully vaccinated against meningococcal B," general practitioner Dr Rod Pearce said.

But Jordan's parents say they never knew just how deadly meningococcal could be.

The devastated parents say they could not afford the $350 vaccine. Source: 7 News
The devastated parents say they could not afford the $350 vaccine. Source: 7 News

"We love and miss you Jordan," they wrote on Facebook. "We're gutted, sick and distraught."

Family friends are raising money to pay for Jordan's funeral via Go Fund Me - a small gesture at a time of unimaginable grief.