Meningococcal B programme ended

A meningococcal B immunisation programme was previously introduced in response to an epidemic in New Zealand of a meningococcal B strain (vaccine MeNZB was developed for this purpose). The special immunisation programme ran from 2004 to 2008, and was discontinued after disease rates had been reduced substantially. The last phase of the meningococcal B programme, which was for immunisation for people with a high medical risk, ended in March 2011.

There is currently no meningococcal vaccine included on the National Immunisation Schedule. However, meningococcal vaccines may still be recommended for those at particular risk, and may be funded in some circumstances. Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection causing severe illnesses, including meningitis (an infection of membranes that cover the brain) and septicaemia (a serious infection in the blood).

People who want their child to receive a meningococcal vaccination should discuss this with their doctor. Young people going to live in hostel-type accommodation may also want to consider having a meningococcal C vaccine, though this is not funded. People travelling overseas should get advice from their travel health doctor or medical centre about possible vaccinations, which may include for meningococcal disease.

Commonly asked questions about Meningococcal B Immunisation (MeNZB™)

Why was this vaccination introduced?
The MeNZB™ vaccine was introduced to control an epidemic of a specific strain of Group B meningococcus within New Zealand. Between 2004 and 2006 the special immunisation programme offered free MeNZB™ vaccination to anyone under the age of 20. Routine immunisation for babies and preschoolers continued until June 2008. The last phase of the programme, targeting people with high medical risk, ended in March 2011.

Why did the special immunisation campaign finish?
The programme was effective in reducing rates of the disease in the community, so routine immunisation against meningococcal B is no longer offered. However, a meningococcal vaccine may still be recommended in some circumstances.

How safe is the MeNZB vaccine?
MeNZB™ vaccine is manufactured to international standards. There are no live bacteria in the vaccine, so it cannot cause meningococcal disease and it cannot lower your immunity to other infections. Millions of doses of vaccine similar to MeNZB™ have been used around the world for more than 20 years. The New Zealand trials found no safety concerns with the vaccine. An Independent Safety Monitoring Board, which is the public watchdog on the vaccine, has had no concerns after monitoring the first 1.2 million doses given in New Zealand.

Do people experience any side effects?
Most children and young people will react to the vaccine. The most common reactions are sore arms, temporary redness or swelling where the injection was given and skin reactions. A smaller number of people experience headache, nausea, feeling unwell, muscle and joint pain, and a slight fever.

These reactions mean the vaccine is working, and disappear within a few days. Serious reactions are very rare and usually occur in the first 20 minutes after vaccination. That is why everyone remains for 20 minutes after vaccination.

How well does the MeNZB™ vaccine work?
The MeNZB™ vaccine has provided the best protection available against the epidemic strain of meningococcal disease in New Zealand. Most people will be protected against the epidemic strain of meningococcal B for some years after immunisation.

It is important though to remain watchful for signs of meningococcal disease, as no vaccine is 100% effective and the vaccine won’t protect against other less common strains of meningococcal disease.

Further information

For further information about vaccinations, talk to your doctor or nurse. You can also contact the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) for advice about immunisation (details under 'Further information and support' below).

Original material provided by the Ministry of Health, July 2005, with later updates. Edited by everybody, updated July 2011.