Free vaccine for teenagers amidst rise of deadly meningococcal disease

Sydney Morning Herald

25 September 2018 - Teenagers across Australia will be given a free meningococcal vaccine to protect them against four strains of the potentially deadly disease, the Morrison government announced on Tuesday.

More than one million 14 to 19 year-olds will receive the ACWY meningococcal vaccine (Nimenrix) over the next four years when the quadrivalent vaccine is added to the National Immunisation Schedule from April 2019.

Meningococcal has been on the rise in Australia. In 2017 there were 382 cases reported nationally compared to 252 in 2016 and 182 in 2015.

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Michael Wonder

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Michael Wonder