NSW students will receive a free meningococcal vaccine over the next year to protect themselves against the rising threat of the meningococcal W strain. 

Students in Years 10 and 11 will be eligible to receive the free vaccine. 

This will be under the NSW Meningococcal W Response Program, which received an additional investment of $3.6 million for its extension. 

$17 million has already been invested into the program since its introduction in 2017, and more than 200,000 teenagers are now protected against the disease as a result. 

The vaccine will be offered to teenagers, as it is the most common with children under five, and those aged between 15 to 24. 

“Just one dose of this vaccine provides strong, long-term protection while building immunity in the community and helping prevent the spread of this crippling disease,” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said. 

The vaccine will have the protection against the A, C, Y and W strains. 

A, C, and Y strains have a four per cent mortality rate and occur less frequently compared to the W strain, which has an eight per cent mortality rate. 

Protection is vital, as up to 10 per cent of people with meningococcal disease will die even with rapid treatment. 

“If you experience symptoms including a sudden onset of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain or rash of red-purple spots, go straight to your nearest emergency department to seek help,” NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.