From 1 July 2026, the Tasmanian Government is funding a free infant meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine program.
Under the program, meningoccocal B vaccination will be available at 6 weeks, 4 months and 12 months of age, with a catch-up program offered to children born before 1 July 2025 and aged less than 2 years.
People with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can become extremely unwell very quickly. IMD is rare, but it can be life-threatening and can cause long-term complications. There are five vaccine-preventable subtypes of meningococcal disease: A, C, W, Y and B.
Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is provided on the NIP for babies, teens and people with certain medical conditions. Meningococcal B vaccination is offer on the NIP for high-risk groups including First Nations children and people with certain medical conditions, and to other groups through jurisdiction-based programs.
MVEC strongly recommends everyone wishing to be protected against ACWY and B strains of meningococcal disease be immunised. Those aged 6 weeks of age and older who do not meet the funding criteria can purchase vaccines privately through some councils, GPs and pharmacies.
For more information about Tasmania’s meningococcal B vaccination program, visit: Tasmanian Department of Health: Infant meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine program.
To read more about meningococcal disease, transmission, epidemiology and prevention, got to MVEC: Meningococcal.