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Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is a rare but severe infection that occurs when meningococcal bacteria invade the body from the nose or throat.

Meningococcal bacteria are carried in the nose and throat of a small proportion of healthy people (about 10%) and are spread through close prolonged contact. The bacteria are more commonly found in teenagers and young adults. There are a number of different strains of meningococcal bacteria. Worldwide, the main strains that cause meningococcal disease are A, B, C, W and Y.

Most people with meningococcal infection fully recover, but some people can develop long-term health complications including limb deformity, skin scarring, deafness and brain damage.

Eligible groups

The following Queenslanders are eligible for the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program:

Infants, 6 weeks to less than 12 months of age.
Catch-up immunisation for children aged 12 months to less than 2 years of age who have not yet started or completed a course of menB immunisation with the Bexsero vaccine.
Adolescents aged 15 to less than 20 years.