Free meningococcal B vaccine now available for infants and adolescents
The Northern Territory Government has introduced a free meningococcal B vaccination program, to protect those most at risk.
Available for infants and adolescents, the vaccine provides protection against the rare but potentially fatal disease, and will be routinely provided as part of other scheduled childhood vaccines.
Baby William Ehrlich, aged 14 weeks old, received his vaccine this week at the Casuarina Community Healthcare Clinic. Parents, Dani and Luke were relieved to know that William will now be protected against the disease at no additional cost. William is one of over 500 Territory children who have already received the vaccine this year.
From 2025 onwards, infants aged 6 weeks to 12 months and students in Year 9 will now receive the meningococcal B vaccine for free, which will be administered with other scheduled childhood vaccines and through the NT School Immunisation Program.
Children aged 12 months to 2 years and adolescents aged 15-19 can also receive the free vaccine until the end of 2026, as part of a two-year catch up program.
Meningococcal B disease is a rare but severe infection that occurs when meningococcal bacteria invades the body from the nose or throat through close prolonged contact.
Most people with meningococcal infection fully recover but some people can develop long-term health complications including limb deformity, skin scarring, deafness and brain damage. It is fatal in 5-10% of cases.
The vaccine is now available from GPs, participating pharmacies, community care centres and through the NT School Immunisation Program.
For more information, visit Meningococcal disease | NT.GOV.AU
