The Chief Health Officer (CHO) has written to inform Catholic school authorities of an important change regarding meningococcal vaccination free of charge to all eligible infants, children and adolescents in Queensland.

Commencing in the 2024 school year, the Queensland School Immunisation Program (SIP) will provide Year 10 students vaccination against meningococcal B (menB). The menB vaccine will be delivered in two does with a minimum of eight weeks between doses to ensure effective protection.

This change is in response to the emergence of menB as the most common cause of illness and death from meningococcal disease in Queensland. Previously funded menB vaccine was only available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and individuals with specific medical risk factors.

Questions about this change can be directed to your School Immunisation Program provider or the Queensland Health Immunisation Program at immunisation@health.qld.gov.au.

More information can be found at  https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/meningococcal-b