Vaccines are available against meningococcal serogroups A, B, C, W and Y.
Meningococcal C Vaccine is now combined with the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine known as Menitorix and is offered free to all children when they are 1 year old. Only 1 dose of Meningococcal C is required for long-term protection in people 12 months of age or older.
A combined meningococcal vaccine that protects agains serogroups A, C, W and Y is now offered for free to persons aged 15 to 19 years old as part of the WA Meningococcal ACWY program. Vaccination will take place at schools for students in years 10, 11 and 12 and is some university clinics. This vaccine is also recommended (but not funded) for people travelling to high risk areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East or Nepal. People considering vaccination should seek advice from their General Practitioner.
Meningococcal B Vaccine is not currently funded by the state or national immunisation program but is recommended for infants and young children particularly those aged under 2 years. It is also recommended for all adolescents aged 15 – 19 years. The number of doses required will depend on the age of the person.
A number of medical conditions or treatments increase a person’s risk of Invasive Meningococcal Disease and additional doses of Meningococcal vaccines are recommended for persons with these risk factors.
Queens Road Surgery has vaccines both government funded and privately to purchase available at the practice.