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betterhealth.vic.gov.au
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
  • Meningococcal disease is a rare, but serious illness that most commonly presents with meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning).
  • It is caused by meningococcal bacteria that can spread from person-to-person through close, prolonged or intimate contact.
  • It can affect all age groups but is more common in young children, adolescents and young adults.
  • There are different strains, or serogroups, of meningococcal bacteria.. You can be vaccinated against strains A, B, C, W and Y. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of meningococcal disease.
  • Free meningococcal ACWY vaccine is available for infants at 12 months of age and students in Year 10 of secondary school. Catch-up vaccination is also available for young people under the age of 20 years.
  • Free meningococcal B vaccine is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants at 2 (from 6 weeks of age), 4 and 12 months of age. Catch-up vaccination is also available for children under the age of 2 years.
  • Meningococcal ACWY vaccine and meningococcal B vaccines are also free for people with specified medical risk conditions that make them more vulnerable to invasive meningococcal disease.
  • Consult your immunisation provider about the best vaccination option for you.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 05-07-2023