Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) paediatric and adolescent vaccination programs
- Meningococcal vaccine program is available in WA for children aged 12 months to <5 years ending 31 December 2018.
- The WA MenACWY paediatric vaccination program supplements the routine immunisation schedule, i.e. other childhood vaccinations should be given at the immunisation schedule points as currently recommended.
- Year 10 students will be vaccinated in schools during 2018.
- 15 to 19 year olds can continue to access the vaccine until further notice.
Who should have the vaccine?
Children who turn 12 months of age will be able to receive the free vaccine at their 12 month visit.
Other children aged 13 months to <5 years should call ahead for an appointment so the provider can make sure they have the vaccine in stock and available. This catch-up program is scheduled to end on 31 December 2018.
Year 10 students will be offered the free MenACWY vaccine at school during 2018. Consent forms will be sent home prior to vaccination day. Adolescents aged 15 to 19 not in year 10 or who missed their vaccination during 2017 can still get their free vaccine, until further notice, by contacting their immunisation provider.
Others who should consider having a meningococcal vaccine include:
- People who plan to travel or live in parts of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa, or people participating in mass international gatherings such as the Hajj in Mecca. Some countries require provide evidence of vaccination for entry visas.
- Laboratory personnel who frequently handle Neisseria Meningitis
- Household or sexual contacts of a case.
- People who have medical conditions associated with an increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) such as:
- defects in or deficiency of complement components, including factor H, factor D or properdin deficiency
- current or future treatment with eculizumab (a monoclonal antibody directed against complement component C5)
- functional or anatomical asplenia
- HIV infection, regardless of stage of disease or CD4+ count
- haematopoietic stem cell transplant