Queensland MenB Vaccination Program
The Queensland MenB Vaccination Program will provide free meningococcal B (menB) vaccines to eligible Queensland infants, children and adolescents. This program will be implemented in full by the end of March 2024, with vaccine deliveries to Queensland Health registered vaccination service providers commencing from mid-February 2024.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (less than 2 years of age) and people with specific medical risk factors for invasive meningococcal disease are currently eligible for free menB vaccine through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The Queensland MenB Vaccination Program will make menB vaccines available for eligible infants, children and adolescents in addition to NIP eligible groups.
Currently, menB vaccine is available for purchase on the private market for those who are not eligible under the NIP. You can discuss your family’s vaccination needs with your immunisation provider such as your GP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Advice for consumers (PDF 63 kB)
Advice for providers (PDF 111 kB)
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 possible loss of brain function.
Commencement of the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program
The Queensland MenB Vaccination Program is rolling out in February and March 2024 with stock available statewide by the end of March 2024.
The Queensland MenB Vaccination Program will be the largest state funded immunisation program ever implemented in Queensland. Nearly half a million infants, children and adolescents will be eligible to receive Queensland funded menB vaccine from quarter one of 2024.
Eligible groups
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:
- 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.
- Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years (inclusive).
Once vaccination is commenced during the eligibility period, a person remains eligible for their second dose, regardless of age.
Vaccination timing
You should discuss your family’s vaccination needs with a GP or other healthcare provider.
MenB vaccine is available for purchase on the private market for those who are not eligible under the NIP, or the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program.
Booking an appointment
For those currently eligible under the NIP or the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program, contact your immunisation provider for an appointment.
Queensland Health is working with medical, pharmacy and consumer groups to ensure the successful implementation of this program.
For those who are not eligible under either program, please discuss your need for private vaccination and associated costs with your healthcare provider.
Delivery of the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program
The infant, early childhood and adolescent programs will be delivered through a network of more than 2,000 Queensland Health registered vaccine service providers, including GPs, community pharmacies, community vaccination clinics and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services.
MenB vaccination will also be delivered in Year 10 through Queensland Health’s School Immunisation Program.
Funding
The menB vaccine will be provided for free to those eligible. A consultation/administration fee may be charged by some vaccination service providers.
If you are a pharmacist providing menB vaccination in Queensland under the state-funded program, you will not be eligible to charge a service fee for administration. Please refer to the Queensland NIPVIP website for more information.
Medicare eligibility
Eligibility for the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program is linked to the eligibility for Medicare benefits.
Note, refugees and humanitarian entrants settled in Queensland are Medicare eligible and are therefore eligible to be vaccinated under this program.
Non Queensland residents
The Queensland MenB Vaccination Program is for residents of Queensland who are Medicare eligible.
Queensland Government funding of the Queensland MenB Vaccination Program
Meningococcal disease is a serious infection that can cause significant illness, disability and death. Around one-third of children and adolescents who survive meningococcal disease develop permanent complications. With improved control of other strains of meningococcal disease through vaccination, the menB strain is emerging as the most common cause of illness and death from meningococcal disease in Queensland.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends menB vaccination for several at risk groups, in addition to those currently included under the NIP schedule. The implementation of a Queensland funded menB vaccination program for children and adolescents is in accordance with ATAGI’s recommendations. The Queensland MenB Vaccination Program aims to remove financial barriers to vaccination, improve vaccine uptake, and improve the protection that menB vaccination provides against meningococcal disease.
Cost reimbursement for individuals who have already received a menB vaccination
Reimbursement is not available to those who accessed menB vaccination prior to the commencement the program.