Be protected against meningococcal disease - HP8196
Information about meningococcal disease, free vaccinations for people aged 13-25 years in their first year of close-living situations (including up to 3 months before), such as boarding schools or halls of residence.
Printed copies can be ordered from the National Immunisation Programme Bluestar portal https://portal.bluestar.co.nz/login/moh_vaccine
The full resource:
Be protected against Meningococcal disease
Young people living closely together in places like boarding school or halls of residence are at higher risk of getting meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease can be life-threatening. FREE vaccines are available to protect against it.
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to two very serious illnesses:
Meningitis – an infection of the brain membranes
Septicaemia – blood poisoning.
There are several different types of meningococcal bacteria, including A, C, W, Y and B.
Bacteria are spread in a similar way to the common cold – by coughing and sneezing, or from contact with saliva (spit).
How serious is it?
Meningococcal disease can be life-threatening.
It can develop and become deadly in just a few hours.
People who survive meningococcal disease often have serious long-term effects, including amputation of limbs, hearing loss, seizures, brain injury and permanent skin scarring.
How to protect yourself?
Vaccination protects you and helps stop it spreading to others.
Vaccines are available to protect against strains A, C, W and Y, and strain B of meningococcal disease.
You need two different vaccines:
- one dose of the meningococcal A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) vaccine, and
- two doses of the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine. The second dose can be given eight weeks after the first dose.
Meningococcal vaccines are FREE for people aged 13-25 years in their first year of close-living situations (including up to 3 months before), such as boarding schools or halls of residence.
If you had your meningococcal vaccinations more than 5 years ago, talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or healthcare provider to see if another course is recommended for you and if there will be a cost. Remember you need both MenACWY and MenB vaccinations for best protection.
To book your meningococcal vaccination call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 or visit info.health.nz/bookavaccine
For more information about getting immunised
- talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or healthcare provider
- info.health.nz/meningococcal