Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial disease.

About one in every 10 people carry this germ in the nose and throat.

Most people who 'carry' this germ don't get sick.

However, they are able to spread it to other people who may become very unwell very quickly if infected.

There are 5 main strains that cause meningococcal disease - A, B, C, W and Y.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease may include:

When diagnosed and treated with antibiotics quickly, most people will make a full recovery. However, in some cases, it can lead to the following:

About 8 to 10% of cases may result in death.

Meningococcal disease can be prevented by vaccination.

Check if you're eligible for a free vaccine below.

If you're not eligible for a free vaccine, you can consult your GP for a private script.

The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is free for:

The meningococcal B vaccine is free for Aboriginal children up to the age of 2 and people with certain medical conditions.

From 1 January 2025, it will also be free for all children up to the age of 2 and all adolescents aged 14 to 19 years old.

This will be part of the:

childhood immunisation schedule for infants 6 weeks to 12 months old
school-based vaccination program for year 9 students
catch up vaccination program (until 2027):
- for children under 2 years old and adolescents aged 15 year to 19 year old
- through GPs, pharmacies, community care centres and remote health services.

For more information about the meningococcal B vaccine, watch the video below and read the fact sheets.

You can also call your nearest Centre for Disease Control.

If you're a health professional, visit the NT Health website to find out more.

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