What is 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 percent) 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 possible loss of brain function.
Queensland MenB Vaccination Program
The Queensland MenB Vaccination Program provides free meningococcal B (menB) vaccines to eligible Queensland infants, children and adolescents. Our Immunisation clinics offer vaccination against Meningococcal B.
Who should be immunised against Meningococcal?
The following Queenslanders who have not yet started or completed an age-appropriate course of menB vaccination will be eligible for the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program which provides free MenB vaccines:
- Infants, 6 weeks to 12 months of age
- Catch up vaccination will be offered for children aged over 12 months to less than 2 years (it is recommended to administer paracetamol to children less than 2 years of age approximately 30 minutes before receiving the Meningococcal B vaccine)
- Adolescents, 15 to 19 years of age.
Multiple doses may be required and the vaccine can be administered at the same time as other vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Schedule (from 6 weeks of age). Once vaccination is commenced during the eligibility period, a person remains eligible for their second dose, regardless of age.
The MenB vaccine is also available for purchase for those who are not eligible for a funded dose. Refer to Purchasing vaccines. You can discuss your family’s vaccination needs with your immunisation nurse at one of our clinics.
Book an appointment
You can book and manage your vaccination appointment online using Vitavo. You must register and make a booking on the Vitavo system to ensure you can be seen. We do accept walk-ins, however, if a clinic has reached capacity walk-ins will not be able to be seen.
To make a booking, log in or create an account in Vitavo.
Using Vitavo, you can:
- create an account and manage your profile
- book and manage individual and family appointments online
- provide digital consent during the booking process, which reduces wait time when you arrive
- receive reminders about your booking, and future appointment bookings.
For more information, refer to Vitavo frequently asked questions.
Book vaccination appointment
Do you need help?
If you need more information or help making an appointment, email our immunisation team at immunisation@logan.qld.gov.au or call us on 07 3412 3412.