Meningococcal B vaccination

Key facts

  • All adolescents over the age of 14 years are recommended to receive a vaccine that protects against meningococcal B. 

  • This vaccine is available through your doctor, a clinic nurse or a community health worker. In some states and territories, a pharmacist may also be able to provide it.

  • In South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, the meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine is free and available through school immunisation programs. If you live in other states and territories and you choose to get the vaccine for your adolescent, you may be charged a fee for any vaccine doses and your clinic visit.

  • Some adolescents with certain health or medical risk conditions are eligible for free or extra doses of the meningococcal B vaccine.

Last updated on 13 August 2025.

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What vaccines are recommended for my adolescent?

If your adolescent is over the age of 14 years, it is recommended they are vaccinated against meningococcal B. There is one meningococcal B vaccine available to adolescents. The technical name is MenB-MC.

If your adolescent has never received a vaccine for meningococcal B before, this vaccine is given in 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.

If your adolescent received 2 doses of a vaccine for meningococcal B as an infant, they should receive another single vaccine dose as an adolescent.

After the age of 14 years, adolescents in South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory can receive their meningococcal B vaccines for free.

If you live in other states and territories and you choose to vaccinate your adolescent, you may be charged a fee for the two vaccine doses and your clinic visit. Some adolescents with certain health or medical risk conditions may also be eligible for free or additional meningococcal B vaccine doses.

Adolescents can receive meningococcal B vaccine from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Meningococcal B vaccines are given as a needle, usually in the arm.

Your adolescent can get their meningococcal B vaccination either on its own or at the same time as other vaccinations.

Speak with your doctor, nurse or community healthcare worker to ask if your adolescent needs to do anything before their meningococcal B vaccination.

What disease does the vaccine protect my adolescent against?

This vaccine will strengthen your adolescent’s immunity to meningococcal B. Meningococcal B is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia.1

All meningococcal germs (bacteria) can cause swelling (inflammation) around the brain (meningitis) and blood poisoning (bacteria in the blood, also called septicaemia).

Meningococcal germs live harmlessly in the mucous found in a person’s nose and throat. When people cough or kiss, the germs can spread between them. Rarely, they make their way into the body and cause meningococcal disease, which can be fatal. Adolescents who survive meningococcal disease can have brain damage or other long-term problems, like severe scars, deafness, or arms or legs that need to be removed by surgery (amputation).2

What do I need to do before the vaccination?

Your adolescent can be vaccinated in a few different locations, including a GP clinic or a community health clinic. In some states and territories, vaccination can occur at school or at a visit with a pharmacist.

 

Your adolescent can receive their routine or recommended vaccines through a clinic visit with a doctor, nurse, community health worker and in some states and territories, a pharmacist. Contact your preferred vaccination provider to ask about the specific vaccines they can provide and to arrange an appointment. You may be charged a fee for these visits.

Learn more about how to prepare for your clinic vaccination

Adolescents in South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory can receive their meningococcal B vaccine doses for free through school immunisation programs.

To receive a free school vaccine, parents or guardians must complete and return a consent form. This form can be available online or through a printed information pack sent home by the school. You give permission for your adolescent to get vaccinated at school by completing and returning the consent form.

Learn more about how to prepare for school vaccination

What do I need to do after the vaccination?

After their vaccinations, your adolescent may be tired and want to rest more than usual. Some adolescents also experience mild discomfort or pain where the injection was given. These symptoms should only last for a day or two.

Serious side effects are very rare, but they can happen. Some parents want to know more about them before they vaccinate their adolescent.

If your adolescent doesn’t seem to be getting better after their vaccines or you are worried about them, you can get help:

  • from your doctor
  • at your nearest emergency department
  • by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
When does my adolescent need their next vaccination?

If your adolescent has had one dose of a meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine after the age of 14 years, and they have not received a vaccine to protect them from meningococcal B before, they will need a second dose 8 weeks later. Speak with your doctor, nurse or community health worker to confirm if your adolescent needs a second dose.

It is also recommended that your adolescent get an influenza (flu) vaccine every year before the influenza season.

The next age-specific vaccinations are recommended for adults. Which vaccines are needed in adulthood depend on a person’s age, medical status, pregnancy status, occupation, travel habits and health situation. Adults are also recommended to have an influenza (flu) vaccine every year.

What if I still have questions?

You can read more about meningococcal disease here.

If you still have questions about vaccinations for your adolescent, write them down and make an appointment with your doctor, nurse or community health worker so you can ask them. 

Please note: In SKAI Adolescent, the phrase ‘your adolescent’ refers to all guardian relationships where health decisions for an adolescent fall under your responsibility.

Drafts of this page were reviewed by members of our Consumer Advisory Group.


  1. Lahra MM, George CRR, van Hal SJ et al. Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Annual Report, 2022. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 2023;47
  2. Harrison LH, Granoff DM & Pollard AJ. Meningococcal capsular group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccines. In Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM (Eds). Plotkin's vaccines. 7th ed. Philadelphia; Elsevier: 2018:619-43