Meningococcal vaccination for children and adolescents without risk factors

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious disease that can cause significant illness, disability and death. Meningococcal vaccination for certain groups of people is funded under the National Immunisation Program and by states and territories.

No single vaccine protects against all serogroups. 3 vaccines protect against serogroups A, C, W and Y (Men ACWY vaccines). 1 vaccine protects against serogroup B only (MenB vaccine). 1 vaccine protects against serogroup C only (MenC vaccine).

Recommended vaccines: the number of doses depends on the vaccine brand and the person’s age when they start the vaccination course.

6 weeks to 23 months:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – MenB (funded under the National Immunisation Program), MenACWY (single dose at age 12 months, funded under the National Immunisation Program).
• Non-Indigenous people – MenB, MenACWY (single dose at age 12 months, funded under the National Immunisation Program).

2 to 4 years: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – MenB, Men ACWY

5 to 14 years: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – MenB, MenACWY

15 to 19 years: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – MenB, MenACWY (funded under the National Immunisation Program). Non-Indigenous people – MenB, MenACWY (funded under the National Immunisation Program). 

Healthy children and adolescents do not need booster doses unless they are in certain special risk groups.

See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more details.