Infants, children and teenagers around Gympie will be receiving free meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines as part of a $90 million investment over three years to rollout the free potentially lifesaving vaccines.
Last year, Queensland recorded 36 cases of meningococcal B disease and two cases have been recorded this year to date.
This serious infection can lead to complications which can cause significant illness, disability, and death.
The Queensland Government will deliver about 450,000 free MenB vaccines through distribution to vaccination providers to manage the roll out of the new program.
Year 10 students are among the first to receive the vaccine through scheduled Queensland School Immunisation Program visits.
All infants and children under two, and adolescents aged 15 to 19, can now access the vaccine, in line with the government’s commitment to implement the program in the first quarter of 2024.
This builds upon the existing program offering the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, providing even broader protection.
The state-funded MenB program will be delivered through registered vaccination service providers including general practitioners, community vaccination clinics, pharmacies, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services.
“We know the meningococcal B strain can progress rapidly and cause serious disability or death,” said Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman.
“Eligible cohorts will be able to access the vaccine through primary care providers and the School Immunisation Program.”
More information on meningococcal disease and the Queensland Meningococcal B Vaccination Program is available at vaccinate.initiatives.qld.gov.au/what-to-vaccinate-against/meningococcal
