Meningococcal Vaccine

Service Description

Meningococcal disease is most commonly caused by types A, B, C, W and Y. Vaccines can protect against all these types, but different vaccines protect against different types. No single vaccine protects against all types of meningococcal disease. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends meningococcal vaccination for specific groups including: - Infants, children, adolescents and young adults - Special risk groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with specified medical conditions, laboratory workers who frequently handle Neisseria meningitidis, travellers, and young adults who live in close quarters or who are current smokers. Meningococcal B vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for: - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 2 months, 4 months, 6 months (eligible medical conditions) and 12 months. - People aged 2 months or older with certain medical conditions. Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for: - Children aged 12 months - Adolescents aged 14-16 years (primarily delivered through school-based vaccination programs) - People aged 2 months or older with certain medical conditions Your health professional will advise if you or your child have an eligible medical risk condition. See also Immunisation for people with medical conditions. Eligible people under 20 years old and refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can get free catch-up vaccination. This is if they did not receive these vaccines in childhood and it is recommended to receive the vaccine. This includes: - Adolescents from 15 years of age who missed out on their adolescent dose of meningococcal - ACWY vaccine at 14 to 16 years of age. - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who missed out on their meningococcal B vaccines up until they turn 2 years of age. Meningococcal vaccines should not be given to people who have had: - Anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any meningococcal vaccine - Anaphylaxis after any component of a meningococcal vaccine. Meningococcal vaccines are not generally recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.