Meningococcal vaccinations for six-week-old babies

Babies as young as six weeks old in Auckland will now be eligible for immunisation against Meningococcal B.

The MeNZBTM vaccine was approved last year for babies six months and older but has now been extended.

Ministry of Health Director-General Karen Poutasi announced that from today, the vaccine could be given to babies aged from six weeks in the Counties-Manukau, Auckland and Waitemata District Health Board (DHB) areas.

The ministry says on average, for every 100 people who get meningococcal disease, four will die, 20 will suffer a permanent and serious physical disability, and others will have ongoing behavioural or learning difficulties.

It says between 1999 and 2003, 222 babies aged under six months contracted meningococcal disease, as well as 232 babies aged between six months and a year.

"This licence extension enables health professionals to offer the vaccine and the best protection available against the epidemic strain of meningococcal disease to a high-risk group of young babies in the Auckland region," Dr Poutasi said in a statement.

"It is also further confirmation of the safety of the MeNZBTM vaccine as independent experts have assessed data on the vaccine and recommended it for use in young babies."

The vaccine can be given at the same time as other childhood vaccinations.

- NZPA