FREE Meningococcal B vaccines will now be available for Year 10 students across northern Victoria thanks to the State Government.
The vaccine, currently available at local general practitioners, would typically cost $250.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said: “We’re making it easier and cheaper for parents to keep their kids health safe with the rollout of our free meningococcal program for Year 10s.”
Year 10 students have been found to have been one of the highest risk groups of contracting the disease.
The new program aligns with the timing of the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine given to Year 10s under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule.
Minister for Health Harriet Shing said the vaccine program will make a serious difference.
“This free vaccination program will save lives and give parents the peace of mind that their teenager is protected from this awful disease,” Ms Shing said.
These reasons are strong enough for the government to invest more than $9 million to support the delivery of the vaccine.
Meningococcal B can make people critically unwell very quickly and can tragically lead to long-term disability or death.
“We’re continuing to advocate to the Commonwealth to consider adding this important vaccine to the NIP,” Ms Shing said.
