Meningococcal ACWY vaccine

The MenACWY vaccine will help protect against meningococcal types A, C, W and Y.

Adolescent program

Year 10 students will receive their vaccination at school. Read more about the year 10 school-based immunisation program.

Adolescents aged between 15 and 19 can also continue to access the vaccine until further notice by visiting their GP, Aboriginal Medical Service or community immunisation clinic (consultation fees may apply).

Childhood program

The free MenACWY vaccine is offered to children aged 13 months to less than 5 years and Aboriginal children from 6 weeks to 12 months.

Children who turn 12 months of age will be able to receive the free vaccine at their 12 month visit.

Other children aged 13 months to less than 5 years can contact their immunisation provider to schedule an appointment for their child to get the MenACWY vaccine.

Infographic: Meningococcal disease and the importance of MenACWY vaccination for under 5s

Meningococcal disease type W was the type responsible for most of the recent cases in WA in 2017. The MenACWY vaccine protects for type W meningococcal disease and also for type Y, which is increasing in the community. In addition, the vaccine protects against type C, already in the national childhood immunisation schedule, and type A, a type rare in Australia. This vaccine does not protect against type B meningococcal disease.

Two brands of the MenACWY vaccine will be used. Both vaccines, Nimenrix® and Menveo® protect against the four types of meningococcal bacteria A, C, W and Y and are similar in terms of safety and efficacy.

• Nimenrix® can be given as a single dose to persons from age 12 months.
• Menveo® can be given as a single dose to persons aged from 2 years.

Nimenrix® will be used for children aged 12 months to less than 2 years of age and Menveo® will be used for children aged from 2 years and adolescents.

12 month program

Children who turn 12 months of age will be able to receive the free vaccine at their 12 month visit. See the childhood immunisation schedule.

Catch up program

Aboriginal children aged 6 weeks to 12 months and all other children aged 13 months to less than 5 years can contact their immunisation provider to schedule an appointment for their child to get the MenACWY vaccine.

Adolescent program

Year 10 students will be offered the free MenACWY vaccine at school. Consent forms will be sent home prior to vaccination day.

15 to 19 year olds who have not received their free MenACWY vaccine can still get it by contacting their immunisation provider (consultation fees may apply).

Others who should consider having a meningococcal vaccine include:

• People who plan to travel or live in parts of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa, or people participating in mass international gatherings such as the Hajj in Mecca. Some countries require provide evidence of vaccination for entry visas.
• Laboratory personnel who frequently handle Neisseria Meningitis.
• Household or sexual contacts of a case.
• People who have medical conditions associated with an increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) such as:
  • defects in or deficiency of complement components, including factor H, factor D or properdin deficiency
  • current or future treatment with eculizumab (a monoclonal antibody directed against complement component C5)
  • functional or anatomical asplenia
  • HIV infection, regardless of stage of disease or CD4+ count
  • haematopoietic stem cell transplant.

People considering immunisation should seek advice from their local doctor or a travel doctor.

Studies have shown that the effectiveness of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine is between 80 to 85 per cent.

Studies have also shown that the vaccines used in the WA childhood meningococcal ACWY vaccination program are safe to use in children and adults. As with any vaccine, there may be some mild side effects. These include injection site pain, redness and swelling, myalgia, headache, nausea, loss of appetite and fever. Serious vaccine reactions are similar to those of other childhood vaccines and are very rare.

The MenACWY vaccine can be safely administered in either the upper arm or the upper thigh, depending on the age of the vaccine recipient.

Children aged 12 months to less than 5 years

• General practitioner (GP)
• Local community health centre (metropolitan areas)
• Central immunisation service (metropolitan area)
• Population health unit (regional areas)

All eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons (6 weeks to 12 months, and 15 years to less than 20 years)

• Vaccines are available at Aboriginal Medical Services

Please contact your immunisation provider for details or to make an appointment.

Vaccines are available at Aboriginal Medical Services (external site).

Year 10 students

School immunisation teams will offer the vaccine at school. Schools will send out consent forms prior to immunisation day.

Individuals who miss the school immunisation day, are 18 to 19 years of age or other age-eligible people not in school can be immunised at:

• some university health centres (university students)
• General practitioner (GP)
• local community health centre (metropolitan areas)
• Central Immunisation Clinic (metropolitan area)
• public health unit (regional areas)
• participating community pharmacies.

Those not eligible for the statewide program (ages outside 15 to 19 years) may purchase the vaccine privately from their GP or Aboriginal Medical Service.