Key facts
- Number of doses: Varies based on age, type and medical risk conditions.
- Free for: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months, other children at 12 months and teens aged 14 to 16.
- Side effects can include being irritable, unsettled and unhappy, crying, loss of appetite, headache, pain, fever, redness, swelling or a lump at the injection site.
What is meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is a very serious bacterial infection that can cause scarring, loss of limbs, brain damage and death.
There are several types of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease, including A, B, C, W and Y. It spreads through close contact with saliva, such as from coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing drinks and utensils.
What is the meningococcal vaccine
The meningococcal vaccine is an injection that helps protect people from meningococcal disease. The ingredients teach the immune system to recognise and fight the virus that causes meningococcal disease, without causing the disease itself.
There are 2 meningococcal vaccines available:
- meningococcal B vaccine (MenB) – protects against meningococcal B disease
- meningococcal ACWY vaccine (MenACWY) – protects against A, C, W and Y disease.
Different vaccines protect against different types of meningococcal disease. No single vaccine protects against all types. The vaccines protect against the types of meningococcal disease that most commonly cause serious illness.
Meningococcal vaccines are safe and effective at protecting against meningococcal disease and its complications. Staying up to date with your vaccinations gives you the best protection.
You can find product information and consumer medicine information about meningococcal vaccines on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.
Who can get the meningococcal vaccine
The vaccine is free under the NIP schedule for:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age (MenB)
- all children at 12 months of age (MenACWY)
- teens aged 14 to 16 years (MenACWY)
- people with specified medical risk conditions (MenB and MenACWY)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under 2 years of age (MenB as a catch-up vaccination)
- people 10 years of age or under (MenACWY as a catch-up vaccination).
You must also have a Medicare card or be eligible for one. This includes babies, children and teenagers.
If you are not eligible for the free vaccine through the NIP
Talk to your health professional about whether vaccination is recommended for you or your child. Most vaccines are available for private purchase with a prescription.
If you buy the vaccine yourself, you will need to pay for it. The cost is not covered or reimbursed through the NIP.
Some vaccines not funded by the NIP may be funded by your state or territory. Check the immunisation schedule for your state or territory to find out more.
How the meningococcal vaccine is given
The vaccine is injected into a muscle (intramuscularly).
Costs
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines (including free ones). Check before you make an appointment.
Side effects
Most side effects of meningococcal disease vaccines are mild and last no more than a couple of days. Serious side effects are rare.
Common side effects include:
- mild fever
- high fever for meningococcal B vaccine in children under 2 years of age
- being irritable, crying, being unsettled and generally unhappy (babies)
- loss of appetite
- headache (usually in teens and adults)
- pain, redness and swelling at injection site.
Occasionally a lump may form at the injection site. This may last for many weeks, but no treatment is needed.
Find out how to manage common vaccine side effects. If you’re worried, talk to a health professional.
Safety data
See safety data for the free vaccines given at 12 months of age and 14 to 16 years of age from AusVaxSafety.
Checking immunisation history
You can get proof of vaccination for you or your child. Visit the Check immunisation history page to find out how.
Information for health professionals
If you are a health professional, visit our Vaccination clinical support for health professionals page for more information.
You can also read the Australian Immunisation Handbook meningococcal page.
Next steps
Talk to a health professional to confirm if the meningococcal disease vaccine is free or recommended for your baby, child or teen.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
More information
- View our NIP resources.
- Visit our Childhood immunisation site.
- Read the Meningococcal fact sheet on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia website.
Meningococcal disease vaccine
Find out how effective the meningococcal disease vaccine is and learn more about potential side effects.
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