Meningococcal vaccination for people in a special risk group

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious disease that can cause significant illness, disability and death. Some people are at increased risk of meningococcal disease. Vaccination is strongly recommended for these people.

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).

People with medical conditions that increase their risk of invasive meningococcal disease include those with a complement deficiency (funded under the National Immunisation Program), being treated with complement inhibitor therapy (funded under the National Immunisation Program), with functional or anatomical asplenia (funded under the National Immunisation Program), with HIV, who have had a haematopoietic stem cell transplant. They are recommended to receive MenB and MenACWY (number of doses depends on the vaccine brand and the person’s age when they start the vaccination course). They need booster doses if the risk is ongoing.

Laboratory workers who work with Neisseria meningitidis are recommended to receive MenB (2 doses) and MenACWY (1 dose). They need booster doses if the risk is ongoing.

Travellers to areas where meningococcal disease is more common are recommended to receive MenACWY (number of doses depends on the vaccine brand and the person’s age when they start the vaccination course). They need booster doses if the risk is ongoing.

Young adults living in close quarters (such as military recruits and people in student residences) are recommended to receive MenB (2 doses) and MenACWY (1 dose). They do not need booster doses unless other risk factors arise.

Young adults who smoke are recommended to receive MenB (2 doses) and MenACWY (1 dose). They do not need booster doses unless other risk factors arise.

See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more details.