May 12th, 2026Protecting teens

Victorian teenagers will soon be protected from the rare but life-threatening disease, meningococcal B.

Minister for Health Harriet Shing has announced the free vaccine will be made available to year 10 students from 1 January next year.
While the vaccine is already available privately through GP’s, it comes at a cost of more than $250 out of pocket.
It will be available through existing school immunisation programs via GPs, pharmacies, local council immunisation services and Aboriginal health services.
Year 10 students (or age equivalent) have been found to be one of the highest risk groups of contracting the disease.
It also aligns with the timing of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine given to Year 10’s under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule.
The state-funded meningococcal B vaccination program will help lift immunisation coverage.
Victoria continues to advocate to the Commonwealth Government to add a full listing of the vaccine on the NIP.
Meningococcal B can make people critically unwell very quickly and can tragically lead to long-term disability or death.