Low Meningococcal B (menB) vaccination rates in Queensland

As announced on 1 March 2024, Queensland is now funding menB vaccine for the following groups of people:

• ALL infants and young children aged 6 weeks to 12 months
  • Children aged 12 months to less than 2 years are eligible for catch-up.
• ALL adolescents at 15 to 19 years (inclusive)
  • The Queensland School Immunisation Program offers menB to year 10 students. All adolescents aged 15 to 19 years can also access this vaccine through primary care immunisation service providers.

People of any age with specific medical conditions that are considered to have an increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children less than 2 years of age are eligible for a FREE menB vaccine through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). 

The Australian Immunisation Register data for Queensland indicates that in the 0- to 2-year-old cohort, less than 66% of children have been fully immunised, leaving approximately 40,000 eligible children unvaccinated. In the 15–19-year-old cohort, just under 14% have been immunised, with approximately 386,000 eligible adolescents unvaccinated.

It is now easier than ever to protect young children and adolescents from this very dangerous disease. Please consider how you can promote menB immunisation and please offer this free vaccine to eligible children and adolescents at every opportunity. Queensland Health has developed a supporting document for practitioners and practices: FAQ advice for providers

You can order menB vaccines at no cost from Queensland Health as part of your routine fortnightly vaccine orders.

Thank you for your on-going support in the delivery of immunisation services across the Brisbane North region.