The Federal Government today announced a free meningococcal ACWY vaccine for children 12 months of age has been added to the National Immunisation Program.
The decision means children at the age of 12 months will be able to access the free vaccine which covers the A, C, W and Y strains from July 2018 under the Commonwealth’s National Immunisation Program. However, no catch-up vaccinations had been planned.
The State Government’s $5.7 million program to reduce the incidence of meningococcal disease among one to four years old (inclusive), the more vulnerable age group, will still be available in Western Australia throughout 2018.
The State Government is currently funding two other meningococcal ACWY vaccination programs, one for teenagers in Year 10 in 2018 and one for Aboriginal communities within regional Western Australia.
For more information on all available vaccines, visit http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/immunisation