Meningococcal B vaccine

• Invasive Meningococcal Disease is a rare but very serious disease that can cause significant illness, disability and death (in 5 to 10% of cases).

• The Meningococcal ACWY vaccine has been included on the National Immunisation Program for children aged 12 months of age since July 2018.

• MenB has become the most common strain over the past 3 years. However Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine is currently not included in the National Immunisation Program schedule (except in South Australia).

WHO SHOULD BE VACCINATED AGAINST MENINGOCOCCAL B

• Infants, children and adolescents

• Young adults who are smokers or live in ‘close quarters’ including new military recruits and students in residential accommodation.

• Free under National Immunisation Program for people of all ages with asplenia and hyposplenia, complement deficiency and those receiving treatment with eculizumab.