Meningitis vaccines

Meningococcal disease is a common cause of bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal disease is caused by a bug (bacteria) called Neisseria meningitidis. At least 12 groups have been identified, including groups A, B, C, X, Y and W. 

There are different meningococcal vaccines to cover the different meningococcal groups. There is no single vaccine that offers protection against all groups.

For protection, 2 doses of the vaccine that covers group B and 2 to 3 doses of the vaccine that covers groups A, C, W and Y are recommended.

In Aotearoa New Zealand vaccination against meningococcal disease is free for:

• ngā pēpi (babies) as part of the childhood National Immunisation Programme
• people with a high risk of meningococcal disease. This includes children, teenagers and adults with a weakened immune system
• young people 13 to 25 years of age in their first year of entering communal accommodation – boarding school hostel, university hall of residence, military barracks or prison. 

Read more about meningococcal disease and the meningococcal vaccine.  

The pneumococcal vaccine is used to prevent infections that are caused by the bug (bacteria) called Streptococcus pneumoniae.

These infections can range from sinusitis and ear infections to life-threatening infections such as pneumonia and bacterial meningitis. Babies need 3 doses for protection.

In Aotearoa New Zealand the pneumococcal vaccine is free for:

• ngā pēpi (babies) as part of the childhood National Immunisation Programme
• people who have a high risk of pneumococcal infection. This includes children, teenagers and adults with a weakened immune system.

Read more about pneumococcal disease and the pneumococcal vaccine.

The Hib vaccine is used to prevent infections that are caused by the bug (bacteria) called Haemophilus influenzae. There are 6 types of this bacteria and the most common is type B (Hib). 

• These bacteria live in the nose and throat of most healthy people without causing illness. If the bacteria get into other parts of your body, it can cause infection and mild to very serious illness. 
• Babies and young children are most at risk of serious disease (including bacterial meningitis) from these bacteria because their immune system is not fully developed.
• Babies need 4 vaccine doses for protection.
• Being in day care, having school-aged brothers and sisters, and living with lots of other people can also increase the risk of getting Hib disease.

In Aotearoa New Zealand the Hib vaccine is free for:

• ngā pēpi (babies) as part of the childhood National Immunisation Programme
• people who have a high risk of pneumococcal infection. This includes children, teenagers and adults with a weakened immune system.

Read more about haemophilus influenzae and the haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine. 

Haemophilus influenzae is different to the flu (influenza) which is a viral infection.

The MMR vaccine offers protection against 3 viruses in 1 vaccination – measles, mumps and rubella.

The measles and rubella viruses can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and the mumps virus can sometimes cause viral meningitis.

Everyone needs 2 doses for protection. The MMR vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine so people who are pregnant or immunocompromised shouldn't have the vaccine.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the MMR vaccine is free for:

• ngā pēpi (babies) as part of the childhood National Immunisation Programme
• people under 18 years of age who are not immune to measles or rubella
• people over 18 years of age, who are NZ residents, who are not immune to measles or rubella
• people born between 1989 and 2004 who don't have any documented record of having had 2 doses of MMR.

Read more about measles, mumps, rubella and the MMR vaccine.

Funded and unfunded vaccines can be given by your nurse, doctor, healthcare provider, and some pharmacies. Find a provider near you on the Healthpoint(external link) website by choosing which vaccine you are looking for and entering your address.

• If you're eligible for a free vaccination, there won't be a cost for the vaccine, but there may be an administration fee.

• If you're not eligible to get a free vaccination, you'll need to pay.

• Pharmacists who are trained as vaccinators can administer:
  
  • the meningococcal vaccines to people 16 years of age and over
  • the MMR vaccine to children 3 years of age and over.
• A small number of pharmacists who have done extended training can administer any vaccination on the National Immunisaton Schedule(external link), including those for babies. 

Vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule are free. Other vaccines are only funded for people who are at particular risk of disease. You can choose to pay for vaccines that you're not eligible to receive for free.