22 December 2019 - It is the most common strain of deadly meningococcal disease, but the vaccine for the B strain has again been knocked back for general inclusion on the free government schedule.

There are fears children will die after the vaccine to protect against the most common strain of deadly meningococcal disease has again been knocked back for inclusion on the National Immunisation Program.

There are five strains of meningococcal and, while A, C, Y and W are covered on the NIP, the B-strain of the disease is responsible for the majority or meningococcal cases in Australia.

The vaccine Bexsero has been rejected for the fourth time by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, which cited cost as the main reason.

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