Infants now eligible for free meningococcal B vaccine in Tasmania

Vaccinations for the rare but potentially deadly meningococcal B disease are now free for all Tasmanian infants for the next four years, under a state-funded program.

The Tasmanian government launched the initiative on Wednesday, which will deliver free vaccinations for all infants from six weeks to two years old.

The program has been funded through a $4 million investment by the Tasmanian government, and is available through general practices and some local council clinics.

The state government first flagged the free vaccination program as a re-election promise made during last year's election campaign.

Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer said while the serious disease was preventable, vaccination costs had been a barrier for parents.

"For many families, this would be a significant out-of-pocket cost to add this vaccination onto their existing programs," Ms Archer said.

"This is not only a preventative health measure, but it is also a cost-of-living measure for families as well."

Legana Medical Centre GP, Dr Gangapuram Prashanth Reddy, said the disease could be devastating for young children, and urged parents to speak to their GP's about accessing the free vaccine.

"It might be rare, but it can cause life-threatening consequences in children if it's not immunised against," Dr Reddy said.

"With the rising cost-of-living pressure, this investment into the meningococcal B vaccine can break the financial barriers for many younger families across Tasmania."

On Wednesday, Deepika Chitneni went to the Legana Medical Centre to get a second dose of the Meningococcal B vaccine for her young son.

She said the free vaccine was "fantastic news", after having already paid around $120 for the first dose.

Experts say infants are at the highest risk

According to the Tasmanian Department of Health, people with meningococcal can become unwell extremely quickly, with symptoms including fever, headache, neck pain or stiffness, muscle aches, and vomiting.

Babies and infants often don't have these symptoms but can be unsettled or drowsy, floppy and not feed.

The strains that cause the disease can change over time, with meningococcal B now the most common circulating strain of the disease, Dr Shannon Melody, a specialist medical advisor with Tasmania's public health service, said.

"From 2020 onwards, we see between one-in-five cases of meningococcal disease per year," she said.

"And in that period from 2020, all but two cases have been due to the B strain."

While the disease can affect anyone at any age, Dr Melody said infants and young children, adolescents, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were at the highest risk.

Free vaccinations for the other strains — known as the meningococcal ACWY vaccine — are free through the National Immunisation Program for children aged 12 months and adolescents aged 12-14.

The Tasmanian Department of Health said most children under 12-months-old would need three doses of the meningococcal B vaccine, while children who start vaccinations over 12 months old need two doses eight weeks apart.

The meningococcal B vaccine is also free under the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under 12 months, and people aged 2 months or older with certain medical conditions.