Overview
Protects against invasive meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, spread through respiratory droplets.
Recommended for travellers to the African meningitis belt (sub-Saharan Africa), Hajj/Umrah pilgrims (Saudi Arabia requires ACWY vaccination), and travellers living in close quarters with local populations in endemic areas. Part of the NIP for infants (MenB at 2, 4, 12 months) and adolescents (MenACWY at 12 months and Year 10).
Vaccination Schedule
Standard schedule: Single dose of MenACWY conjugate vaccine for adults and children from 12 months of age.
Accelerated schedule: Nimenrix can be given from 6 weeks of age with an age-appropriate multi-dose schedule. For travel, a single dose from 12 months provides rapid protection.
Route: Intramuscular injection
Brands Available in Australia (TGA-Registered)
- Nimenrix (Pfizer)
- Menveo (GSK)
Cost in Australia
Estimated cost: $60-$90 per dose for MenACWY
Medicare/PBS: Funded under NIP: MenB (Bexsero) at 2, 4, and 12 months; MenACWY (Nimenrix) at 12 months and in Year 10 (approximately age 15-16). Not funded for adult travellers. Available on private prescription.
Efficacy & Duration
Efficacy: Greater than 90% seroprotection against serogroups A, C, W, and Y in adolescents and adults
MenACWY conjugate vaccines induce protective bactericidal antibody levels in more than 90% of recipients after a single dose. Protection is serogroup-specific; MenACWY does not protect against serogroup B (the most common in Australia).
Duration of protection: Protection lasts approximately 5 years. Revaccination recommended every 5 years for those with ongoing risk (e.g., repeat Hajj travel, residence in the meningitis belt). Conjugate vaccines provide better immune memory than older polysaccharide vaccines.
Side Effects
| Side Effect | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Injection site pain, redness, swelling | Very common (>50%) |
| Headache, fatigue, myalgia | Common (10-50%) |
| Fever, nausea, dizziness | Uncommon (1-10%) |
| Irritability, drowsiness (in young children) | Very common (>50%) |
Contraindications
- Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or vaccine component
- Severe illness (defer vaccination)
Special Populations
Pregnancy
Category B2. Inactivated conjugate vaccine. Can be given in pregnancy if indicated, such as required for Hajj travel. Limited data but no safety concerns identified.
Children
Nimenrix: licensed from 6 weeks of age. Menveo: licensed from 2 months of age. Funded under NIP at 12 months (MenACWY) and Year 10. MenB vaccine (Bexsero) is a separate vaccine funded at 2, 4, and 12 months.
Immunocompromised Travellers
Safe to administer (inactivated conjugate vaccine). Individuals with functional or anatomical asplenia, complement deficiency, or HIV are at higher risk of meningococcal disease and should receive both MenACWY and MenB vaccines. May require additional doses. Post-vaccination serology can be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need meningococcal vaccine for Hajj?
Yes. Saudi Arabia requires proof of meningococcal ACWY vaccination for all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The vaccine must have been given no more than 5 years and no fewer than 10 days before arrival. Quadrivalent conjugate vaccine (Nimenrix or Menveo) is required.
What is the meningitis belt in Africa?
The African meningitis belt stretches across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, including countries like Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Burkina Faso. Epidemics of meningococcal disease occur during the dry season (December to June). MenACWY vaccination is strongly recommended for travellers to this region.
Does the travel meningococcal vaccine cover meningococcal B?
No. The travel vaccine (Nimenrix or Menveo) covers serogroups A, C, W, and Y only. Serogroup B, which is the most common cause of meningococcal disease in Australia, requires a separate vaccine (Bexsero). Bexsero is not routinely recommended for travellers as serogroup B is less common in the meningitis belt.
How much does meningococcal vaccine cost for travel?
MenACWY vaccine costs approximately $60-$90 per dose on private prescription. It is not covered by Medicare for adult travellers but is funded on the NIP for 12-month-olds and Year 10 students.
How long does meningococcal vaccination last?
Protection from MenACWY conjugate vaccines lasts approximately 5 years. Revaccination is recommended every 5 years for those with ongoing risk, such as repeat Hajj travellers or those living in the African meningitis belt.
Is meningococcal vaccine safe during pregnancy?
MenACWY conjugate vaccines are inactivated and classified as Category B2. They can be given during pregnancy if indicated, such as when vaccination is required for Hajj. While data is limited, no safety concerns have been identified.
My child was vaccinated as a baby. Do they need another dose for travel?
If your child received MenACWY vaccine at 12 months on the NIP, protection may wane over time. A booster dose is recommended if travelling to a high-risk area such as the African meningitis belt, particularly if more than 5 years have elapsed since the last dose.
Can meningococcal vaccine be given with other travel vaccines?
Yes. MenACWY is an inactivated vaccine and can be safely given at the same time as other travel vaccines including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, and influenza. Use different injection sites.
Sources & References
Last updated: April 2026