A$52 million to deliver free meningococcal vaccine to teenagers in Australia

The recently elected Morrison Australian government today said it will invest A$52 million ($38 million) to protect the nation’s teenagers against meningococcal disease, with the launch of a new free national program for 14 to 19 year olds.

Over 1 million teenagers will receive the free meningococcal A, C, W and Y vaccine, over the next four years, said Health Minister Greg Hunt.

It will be added to the National Immunization Program from April 2019 and provided to students aged 14 to 16 years under a school based program. Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years of age, who have not already received the vaccine in school, will be able to receive the vaccine through an ongoing GP based catch up program.

Meningococcal is a rare but very serious infection that occurs when meningococcal bacteria from the throat or nose invades the body. The consequences are devastating for individuals and their families. In recent years, a rise in the number of invasive meningococcal disease cases has been seen in Australia. In 2017, there were 382 cases reported nationally, compared with 252 cases in 2016 and 182 cases in 2015.

Deaths associated with meningococcal disease have also risen, with 28 deaths in 2017, compared with 11 deaths in 2016 and 12 deaths in 2015.

Today’s announcement follows a recommendation from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to list the meningococcal A, C, W and Y vaccine for adolescents.

The Committee is independent of government by law and in practice. By law the federal government cannot list a new medicine or vaccine without a positive recommendation from the PBAC.