The National Immunisation Program (NIP) has been amended from 1 July 2020 to improve protection for those most at risk against the potentially fatal meningococcal disease.
For the first time, the Meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero®) is being made available for free to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants under two years, who are almost four times as likely to contract this disease as non-Indigenous children.
Around 20,000 Indigenous children are expected to be vaccinated each year.
Meningococcal disease is rare but can have serious effects, even for survivors.
This and other changes to the NIP, based on expert medical advice, will target vaccines for Australians most at risk from meningococcal and pneumococcal diseases. The other changes include:
- People aged 70 years and over are now eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar 13® to ensure more targeted protection for the elderly.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be eligible for three pneumococcal vaccines, after they turn 50.
- More people with medical risk conditions will have access to free pneumococcal, meningococcal ACWY and the Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines.
There is no scientific or medical doubt vaccinations save lives and protect lives, and are an essential part of modern health care.
Media Release published on the 6th July 2020 from Australian Government Department of Health. To read the release in full click here.