A statewide program providing free meningococcal B vaccinations for all infants began today, the Tasmanian Government has announced. The $4 million initiative is designed to protect babies from the rare but potentially fatal disease and remove a significant cost barrier for families, according to a statement from Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Health Minister Bridget Archer.
Previously, the Bexsero vaccine was only available through private prescription, which the government noted could be a barrier for many families. The new state-funded program, which commenced on 1 July 2026, will offer the vaccine at no cost through general practices and some local council clinics.
According to the Tasmanian Department of Health, the program will provide the vaccine to infants at six weeks, four months, and 12 months of age. A catch-up program is also available for children under two years of age who were born from 1 July 2025.
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that can cause meningitis and sepsis (blood poisoning), leading to severe long-term complications or death. While uncommon, the disease progresses rapidly, with infants and young children being one of the most at-risk groups. Symptoms in babies can be different from those in adults and may include floppiness, irritability, refusing to feed, or being unsettled or drowsy.
This state initiative expands on the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which already provides the meningococcal B vaccine for free to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and individuals with specific medical conditions that increase their risk. The widely available meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which protects against different strains, remains free for all children at 12 months of age under the national program.
In 2023, there were five cases of invasive meningococcal disease in Tasmania, three of which were serogroup B, the Tasmanian Department of Health reported in a surveillance document. The state’s notification rate was 0.9 per 100,000 people, which was higher than the national rate.
The government’s announcement stated that vaccination is the most effective protection against the devastating disease. The original story was reported by ABC News.