Australian Doctor Australian Doctor 7th September 2018 | Page 10

G I V E PA R E N T S T H E F U L L S T O RY
“ MY CHILD has
been vaccinated
AINS O F
E
STR
S
M
against
meningococcal disease”
O
Parents believe that routine vaccinations cover all strains of meningococcal disease. 1,2
Meningococcal B, the most common cause of meningococcal disease in infants, 3 is not
currently covered on the National Immunisation Program. However, the Australian Immunisation
Handbook recommends meningococcal B vaccination for infants and adolescents. 4^
^Infants and young children (<2 years), adolescents aged 15–19 years as well as adolescents and young adults living in close quarters.
Not a real patient. Image is a re-creation of a real case of invasive meningococcal disease.