Meningococcal vaccine for Moira Shire teens

Published on 07 July 2017

Over the next six months, more than 1000 Moira Shire teenagers will be offered free, lifesaving Meningococcal vaccinations.

Students will receive the free vaccine at school-based sessions and special after hours sessions or by attending any infant immunisation session in the Shire.

Moira Shire Manager of Community Development Georgia Hills said any teen aged 15 to 19 who missed their school-based immunisation day or did not attend school could attend one of Council’s after hour sessions.

“These sessions will be held in Nathalia and Numurkah in August and Yarrawonga and Cobram in September,” Ms Hills said.

“Only the Meningococcal vaccine will be offered at these sessions,” Ms Hills said.

“All young people receiving the vaccine will be protected against the W strain of the disease, as well as the other three strains – A, C and the increasing Y,” Ms Hills said.

“This age group was chosen by the Government on recommendation of national immunisation experts as teens are at high risk of meningococcal disease and more likely to spread the disease to others.”

There has been a spike in the number of Meningococcal W cases recently, with 48 cases reported in Victoria in 2016 – up from just one in 2013. The W strain is now the most dominant strain Meningococcal disease, which can be deadly.

Contact Council on 5871 9222 for more information on the sessions. 

More information on the disease is available from The Better Health Channel.