Meningococcal Programme Continues for Under Fives

The Ministry of Health's Meningococcal B campaign is continuing for children aged under five, who are considered most at risk from the disease.

While the Meningococcal B epidemic has waned in New Zealand the epidemic strain is still present.

It has been planned and communicated to the sector for some time that the programme for 5 to 19-year-olds would finish at the end of December 2006. The Ministry has allowed over six months for those who began their vaccinations at the end of 2006 to complete their course.

The Ministry expects the number of 5 to 19-year-olds who have partially completed their vaccinations to be small.

The vaccine is currently offered to those less than five years of age, to protect the young who are most at risk of meningococcal disease. Infants are offered four doses of MeNZB™ with the National Immunisation Schedule vaccines at age six weeks, at three and five months, and a fourth dose at ten months. Other children under the age of five years can be offered three doses of MeNZB™ at six-week intervals.

The programme for 5 to 19 year-olds began in July 2004, giving people ample time to receive all their vaccinations. The expectation was all those in this age group would have finished their vaccinations by now.

Anyone who has failed to complete their vaccinations can ask their doctor to apply to the Ministry for approval to finish their course.
Likewise, anyone in this age group who has not started their vaccinations can ask their doctor to apply to the Ministry for approval to start the course.

A temporary delay in the availability of the MeNZBTM means some parents may need to reschedule their children's vaccination appointments until additional supplies become available next week.

Although many general practices still hold stocks of the vaccine, which helps protect against the epidemic strain of meningococcal disease, some supply disruptions may occur until a further shipment of the vaccine is expected in the country today.

Changes and enhancements to the vaccine manufacturing site have contributed to this temporary supply delay.

The Ministry of Health continues to urge parents to ensure that their children are fully immunised against the epidemic strain of Meningococcal B. For young babies who began their Meningococcal B vaccinations before they were six months old, it is important that they have four doses. Newborns and under-fives who have not received MeNZB™ vaccine will continue to be offered the Meningococal B immunisations until the programme is discontinued.