Meningococcal vaccine provides extra protection for bubs

In 2017, a steep rise in cases of meningococcal disease caused by the W strain sparked a wave of concern for parents in Western Australia.

With 46 cases of the life-threatening disease reported – and half of the cases caused by the W strain – it was clear urgent action was required to minimise the danger for age groups most at risk.

There are five strains known to be responsible for causing the disease – A, B, C, W and Y – and while vaccination is the only effective way to prevent meningococcal disease, there is no single vaccine that can protect against all five strains.

Prior to 2018, all babies received a Meningococcal C vaccine at 12 months of age and vaccines for Men ACWY and Men B were available via private prescription only, at a cost that was prohibitive for many parents.

Professor Peter Richmond, Head of the Vaccine Trials Group at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, said although a free Men ACWY vaccine program was rolled out to 15-19-year- olds throughout 2017 in response to the increase in cases, extra protection was required for babies and young children under five years of age.

"This age group is at high risk of contracting meningococcal disease, and purchasing the vaccine privately was out of reach for most families," Professor Richmond said.

"We felt that toddlers and young children should have access to the Men ACWY vaccine, and this meant we needed evidence that the vaccine produced protective antibodies after a single dose so that it could be considered for inclusion on the National Immunisation Program."

He said the group's research, especially recent studies involving babies 12 months of age, was used to inform the WA Health Department on the effectiveness and safety of the Men ACWY vaccine – particularly around the protection it provides against the W strain of the disease.

In addition, it was announced that children in Western Australia aged one to four years would be given a free 'catch-up' Men ACWY vaccine throughout 2018.

"This evidence also supported a subsequent recommendation to include the Men ACWY vaccine on the National Immunisation Program for all Australian children from July 1st, providing it at 12 months instead of the previous Men C-only version," Professor Richmond said.

"Importantly, this recommendation means that the vaccine will continue to be provided free for all children. We are confident this will see a reduction in children being diagnosed with this devastating disease into the future."

“It’s fantastic to see our research playing a major role in guiding the Government’s decision to prioritise the Men ACWY vaccine at this critical time – allowing young people to be protected from meningococcal disease when they need it most.”