Thousands of young Territorians will be vaccinated against meningococcal B for free, as part of a study being undertaken in the Northern Territory for the first time.
B Part of It NT, is being led by researchers from The University of Adelaide and the University of Queensland. It is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, and carried out in partnership with NT Health, the Commonwealth Government, AMSANT, SA Health, and the Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation.
The study will collect research by administering the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero, to more than 7,000 Territorians aged between 14 and 19.
Territorians will need to receive two doses of the vaccine two months apart, as well as offer two throat swabs, and complete two surveys.
Results will determine whether the number of cases of meningococcal disease reduces in the Territory, after participants have received the vaccine. Researchers will also measure how many people carry the meningococcus bacteria in their throat.
In addition, B Part of It NT will collect information that could help inform if the vaccination offers protection against gonorrhoea too.
B Part of It NT follows the successful B Part of It study in South Australia across 2017 and 2018, which saw almost 35,000 senior school students vaccinated against meningococcal B and gained valuable findings that went on to inform meningococcal vaccination programs globally including in South Australia.
Participants can join through their school programs, or their local health clinic by returning a consent form.
