Infants and children aged <2 years are recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine

Infants and children aged <2 years are recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine in a 1-, 2- or 3-dose schedule, depending on the vaccine brand and the child’s age when they start the vaccine course. See Table. Recommendations for immunisation of infants and children aged <2 years using meningococcal ACWY vaccines, by age and vaccine brand for more details.

MenACWY vaccine is funded through the NIP for all children aged 12 months. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

There are 3 MenACWY vaccines: MenQuadfi, Menveo and Nimenrix.

Infants can receive their 1st dose of MenACWY vaccine as early as 6 weeks of age. Infants aged <12 months can receive 2 of the 3 brands of MenACWY vaccine (Menveo or Nimenrix).

There is no preference for either brand of MenACWY vaccine – MenQuadfi, Menveo, or Nimenrix – for people aged ≥12 months.

For infants who commence MenACWY vaccination aged <6 months due to planned travel to areas where meningococcal A disease is common:

• Infants who commence vaccination aged <6 months with Menveo should receive a 4-dose schedule (given as a 3+1 schedule) for optimal protection against serogroup A; 3 primary doses should be given with an interval of 8 weeks between doses, followed by a 4th dose at 12 months of age (or 8 weeks after the 3rd dose whichever is later).
• Infants who commence vaccination aged <6 months with Nimenrix should receive the standard schedule.