About the Disease

​Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause serious or life-threatening conditions including meningitis (inflammation/swelling of the lining of the brain) and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning) and certain other rare conditions. There are 13 different strains of the disease.
Strains A, B, C, W135 and Y most commonly cause disease. There is no single vaccine that offers protection against all meningococcal strains.

Meningococcal B Vaccine (Bexsero) will protect against B strains while Meningococcal C Conjugate vaccine will protect your child against C strains.
Quadrivalent  Meningococcal vaccine protects against  A,C,Y, W135 . Menveo is the only Quadrivalent vaccination approved in young infants from aged 2 months. Nimenrix was added to the Immunisation schedule on 1/7/18 for children aged 12 months.
Is there access to vaccine for those in non-funded groups?
​
Meningococcal C vaccine is not funded for infants aged less than 12 months, and adults over 19 years, but the vaccine is available from pharmacies on private prescription. 

Meningococcal B Vaccine (Bexsero) is available by private prescription.
​
Please consult your pharmacist for information on the price of these vaccinations.
It is important to note:
  • The C strain  currently now only makes up about 6% of all Meningococcal disease in Australia thanks to the Meningococcal C vaccination that was introduced in 2003  under the National Immunisation Program.
  • Meningococcal B disease is now responsible for  73%  of cases of the disease in Australia. (2014)
  • 83% of cases of meningitis in infants < 1 year were caused by the B strain (2014)
  • Meningococcal B Vaccine (Bexsero) vaccine is now available to protect against Meningococcal B disease is now currently part of the childhood immunisation program. (1/7/18)
  • It is therefore important to still be alert for signs of Meningococcal disease.
About the vaccines
​The current free vaccine  protects against Meningococcal ACWY disease.   For children aged 12 months and over, a single vaccination is recommended to provide long-term immunity against Meningococcal ACWY disease.  Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is provided free at 12 months under the National Immunisation Program.

For Meningococcal C vaccination  Infants aged 8 weeks and less than 4 months of age require three doses of the vaccine 8 weeks apart.  Infants aged 4 months and less than 12 months require 2 doses of the vaccine 8 weeks apart. 

For Meningococcal B Vaccination Infants aged 6 weeks and less than 5 months of age require three doses of the vaccine 8 weeks apart and a booster at 12 months.  Infants aged 4 months to 11 months require 2 doses of the vaccine 8 weeks apart and a booster at 12 months or 8 weeks after the last dose. Children >12 months only require 2 vaccinations 8 weeks apart. No booster is required.
Who is eligible for the free vaccine?
Early in 2003 the Commonwealth Government started providing free Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine. This was changed to ACWY in 2018 for the following age group:       
  • 12 month old infants as part of the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule

*From 1st October 2018 the SA Government Meningococcal B Immunisation Program will provide free meningococcal B vaccines to:

  • Babies aged six weeks to 12 months of age. 
  • Childhood catch up program for children over 12 months of age to less than 4 years of age until 31/12/19
  • From 1st February 2019 Year 10 students and a catch up program for Year 11 students.
  • Catch up program for individuals aged 17 – less than 21 years  until 31/12/19

Only residents of South Australia and who have a Medicare card are eligible for the funded Meningococcal B program.
Where can I get the vaccine?
  • Vaccine for the 1-5 year old program will be distributed to all general practitioners and other public providers who currently offer other childhood vaccines
  • Vaccines for the 15-19 year old program will be delivered through a school based program
  • Those in the 15-19 year old program who miss out being vaccinated at school or do not attend school can access the vaccine through local council clinics, other public providers who currently offer vaccines or at their local GP but there may be a consultation fee
  • The SA Government Meningococcal B Immunisation Program will be delivered through existing service providers including GPs, local government immunisation clinics, Aboriginal Health Services, Child and Family Health Services (CaFHS), Country Health SA Local Health Network (CHSALHN) and the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN), and other existing programs including the School Immunisation Program.​
Are there any side effects from the vaccine?
The side effects from the vaccine are usually mild and do not last long.  Side effects can include redness and soreness at the site of injection, mild temperature, headache, dizziness and nausea. Rare side effects include fits and allergic reactions.
If you are concerned about your child following vaccination, please consult your general practitioner, immunisation provider, or contact either Child and Youth Parent Helpline 1300 364 100 (24 hours, 7 days) or the South Australian Immunisation Coordination Unit Ph: 8226 7177.
Are there any reasons why I should postpone or not have my child vaccinated with Meningococcal B or ACWY Vaccine?
  • The child/person is very unwell or has a fever (over 38.5C)
  • The person has previously been vaccinated with polysaccharide vaccine (Mencevax or Memomune). In this is the case then delay the conjugate vaccine (Menjugate, Meningitec or NeisVac-C) for 6 months
  • Pregnant unless otherwise indicated
 
Immunisation should not be given if:
  • Anaphylaxis (circulatory failure) has occurred following previous doses or severe hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine
For further information contact the South Australian Immunisation Coordination Unit:
Ph: 8226 7177 Fax: 8226 7197
Email: cdcb@dhs.sa.gov.au
Further Information is available from SA Health 

For Frequently Asked Questions  about the new SA Meningococcal B Program (2018) click here.
In Summary:
  • ​Meningococcal infection, while uncommon, can cause serious, often fatal infection - meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
  • Children under 4 years of age and teenagers, 15 to 20 years, are at most risk of serious infection.
  • The meningococcal infection has a rapid onset of high fever, marked unwellness with shock, severe headache and a mottled rash (like bruising) - death within 24 hours of onset is not uncommon.
  • There are many strains of meningococcus - type B and C are the common strains
  • Type C is associated with most serious infections.
  • Meningococcal vaccinations give protection against the B and  ACWY strain of meningococcus.
  • Children over 8 weeks of age can be vaccinated. From July 1st 2018 Meningococcal ACWY vaccine has been provided free for children at aged 1yr at our surgery as part of the National Immunisation Programm
  • From 1st October 2018  Meningococcal B vaccination  will be provided free by the SA Government to children under 12 months with a catchup program for children 1- 4 yrs of age. From 1st February 2019 Adolescents  will receive it in Yr 10 with a catchup program  for individuals aged 17 - 21 years.​
  • Approximate cost of Meningococcal C vaccination : ~$70 per injection - if not eligible for the free program.
  • Approximate cost of Meningococcal B vaccination : ~$125 per injection

The Vaccine:

The Meningococcal vaccine is not a live vaccine.

Recommended for:

Children under 4 years of age and teenagers, 15 to 20 years, are at most risk of serious infection. Therefore, children over 6 weeks of age can be vaccinated as part of the Immunisation Schedule for Children.

Teenagers, 15 - 19 yrs old will be provided the vaccine through the free school based programs.

​Meningococcal vaccine​ should not be given :
  • if there has been an allergic reaction to previous Meningitec injection
  • Anaphylaxis (circulatory failure) has occurred following previous doses or severe hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine
  • if there is an allergy to diphtheria vaccine, latex or aluminium salts
  • in the presence of a fever over 38.5 degrees
  • during or immediately prior to pregnancy or while breastfeeding
  • in the presence of impaired immunity - cancer, immune suppressant medication etc
  • the elderly 

Adverse Reactions:

The vaccine is not a live vaccine - it cannot cause meningitis or other infection.
​
Reactions are usually of a minor nature - irritability, fever up to 39 degrees and redness at the site of vaccination. More serious side effects are very rare.