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.

For more information, please visit: www.bpartofitnt.com.au

Quotes from Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:

“The research carried out through B Part of It NT will provide critical, Territory-specific information to health professionals.

“These results will help protect the community and keep Territorians safe.

“In the age of coronavirus, we know now, more than ever before, just how important vaccinating against disease is.

“I encourage all eligible Territorians to sign up and be part of this important study.”

Quotes from Lead Investigator, Professor Helen Marshall:

“We are very pleased to be announcing the official launch of the B Part of It NT study today to protect 7,000 young people across the Northern Territory.

“Recently there has been some evidence that the licensed and recommended meningococcal B vaccine may also be effective in providing protection against gonorrhoea as well as meningococcal B disease due to genetic similarities between the bacteria causing the two diseases.

“As part of this study we will be looking at whether the number of reported cases of both diseases reduces in the NT, while giving young people in the NT the chance to protect themselves, and potentially their wider community from meningococcal B.”