A new plan to better protect young Victorians against meningococcal B

A New Plan to Better Protect Young Victorians Against Meningococcal B
​The Victorian Liberal and Nationals party announced a new health commitment on Monday, December 8, 2025, to enhance the protection of Victorian infants and teenagers against the deadly Meningococcal B (Men B) strain.
​Currently, the vaccine administered to Year 10 students under the National Immunisation Program only protects against Meningococcal strains A, C, W, and Y, leaving young Victorians vulnerable to Men B. This new plan aims to address that gap.
​Key Initiatives of the Plan:
​Should a Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government be elected, they would fund a program to:
​Vaccinate Infants: Provide the Men B vaccine to all infants aged 6 weeks to 12 months.
​Vaccinate Adolescents: Provide the Men B vaccine to all adolescents in Year 10.
​Establish a Catch-up Program: Ensure older children and young adults are covered through a catch-up program for those aged 12 months to two years and young people aged 15 to 19.
​The urgency of this commitment is highlighted by the statistics: as of October 2025, 14 cases of Men B had been recorded in Victoria this year, including the tragic death of 16-year-old Levi Syer.
​Opposition Leader Jess Wilson stated that funding this vaccine is a "simple and responsible step" that will save lives, ease cost-of-living pressure for families, and ensure Victoria is not lagging behind other states in protecting its vulnerable population.
​Meningococcal B is a rare but extremely serious and fast-acting disease that primarily impacts babies and teenagers. While uncommon, it can be fatal in 5-10% of cases and cause severe, lifelong disabilities such as brain damage or limb loss in 10-20% of cases. The proposed plan aligns with the Australian Immunisation Handbook's recommendations for vaccinating children under two and adolescents aged 15–19.

Published: December 12, 2025