'Absolutely frightening': Toddler nearly dies from meningococcal strain he wasn't vaccinated for

The parents of a Tasmanian toddler who almost died after contracting meningococcal disease say they were never told about the one extra vaccination that could have kept him safe.

Arthur Long lost both feet and part of one hand, but after six months in hospital he’s now almost ready to get on with his life.

But it takes more than meningococcal to keep Arthur down. The bubbly two-year-old's getting ready for operation number 26.

The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne has been a second home since meningococcal took over his body one day last February.

“Friday night he was perfect, Saturday morning, off, fluey,” said Nathan Long, Arthur’s father.

Mum Carly Long said Arthur saw a doctor at home, in the afternoon.

According to Nathan, “she wasn't worried about him”.

By that night, his organs had shut down.

Doctors in Launceston put Arthur on a mercy flight to Melbourne, but weren't even sure he'd last the trip.

“Absolutely frightening. It was the most frightening thing,” Nathan said.

“And it's so quick and so lethal, like a doctor compared it to Ebola.”

• Three-year-old lucky to be alive after contracting Meningococcal B, but not developing rash

• Boy whose legs were amputated meets golden retriever that lost all four limbs

One in 10 meningococcal victims die while 20 per cent, like Arthur, are left with permanent disabilities.

Meningococcal is such a confusing disease, its symptoms can look vague or even benign. But it can kill within hours.

There are five separate main strains – A, B, C, Y and W – and the only effective protection is a vaccination against all of them.

What Arthur's parents weren't told was that the free vaccine given to all babies at 12 months, only covers meningococcal C.

“We just thought you were immunised against everything you could possibly be immunised against,” Carly said.

Experts say full vaccination is vital, especially for teenagers, and children under five.

Dr Margie Danchin, from the Children’s Hospital, said all vaccines can be bought privately.

“Parents can purchase other meningococcal vaccines privately, and that includes a meningococcal B vaccine and also a meningococcal A, C, W, Y vaccines,” she said.

Now, Arthur’s parents are happy just to still have their boy.

“There's obviously some additional challenges but we'll face them and he will probably face them better than us,” Carly said.

On his new prosthetic feet, little Arthur’s now taking confident strides towards a bright future.