Families impacted by meningococcal disease unite with survivors, urging Schoolies to recognise early symptoms and act fast

• Teens 15-19 are among the highest-risk groups for contracting meningococcal disease and the most likely to unknowingly carry the potentially dangerous bacteria

• Close contact, crowded venues, shared accommodation and smoking make Schoolies an ideal environment for the bacteria to spread

• Early symptoms – vomiting, headache, sensitivity to light – may be mistaken for a hangover or the flu

 

Queensland, Australia: Families and survivors of meningococcal disease are calling on tens of thousandsⁱ of Schoolies preparing for the traditional end-of-year celebrations to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the potentially devastating infection, as annual meningococcal cases surpass 100 nationally.ⁱⁱ

Medical experts warn teenagers between 15 and 19 are among the highest-risk groups for contracting the infectionⁱⁱ and are most likely to carry and spread the bacteria.ⁱⁱⁱ In rare cases, the bacteria can cause serious illness which can progress rapidly, sometimes becoming fatal within 24 - 48 hours.^iv Across all age groups up to 10% of cases prove fatal while one in five survivors are left with life-changing disabilities such as limb loss or brain injury.^v

Schoolies presents a high transmission environment for the bacteria, which can be spread through close contact.^v,vi An Australian study of more than 24,000 students shows cigarette smoking nearly doubles the likelihood of carrying the bacteria (OR* 1.91), while attending pubs or clubs (OR 1.54) and intimate kissing (OR 1.65) also increase the chance of carriage.^vii

Early signs of meningococcal disease include vomiting, sensitivity to light, headache, confusion, drowsiness and loss of appetite, which have the potential to be mistaken for a common illness or even a hangover – delaying urgent care.^vi While a rash is one of the most recognised symptoms, it often appears late or not at all.^vi Doctors warn it is critical to seek urgent medical attention at the earliest sign of infection, especially if symptoms worsen quickly.

Katy O’Connell, a Brisbane mother who donated a kidney to her daughter and meningococcal survivor, says: “Phoebe was a carefree 18-year-old enjoying university when she came down with what we thought was just the flu. Thankfully she was at home when her symptoms rapidly worsened, and we rushed her to hospital - where she ended up in intensive care fighting for her life. It is every parent’s worst nightmare. Phoebe lost her spleen and kidneys and had to learn to walk again, but we know how fortunate we are that she’s still here with us.

“If sharing our story helps even one young person recognise the symptoms sooner - or one parent have that conversation before Schoolies - it could help to save a life,” she adds.

Gold Coast University Hospital, Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr Peter Simos, says: “Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, and every second without treatment risks irreversible damage. The concern during Schoolies is that teens may dismiss early flu-like symptoms. I encourage anyone feeling unwell - even if in doubt - to seek medical help. Don’t leave it too late.”

Adolescents are silent carriers

Adolescents are unknowingly the highest carriers of the potentially deadly bacteria, which can live harmlessly in the nose or throat. Carriage peaks at one in four (23%) 19-year-olds compared to just one in twenty (4.5%) infants, making them the primary source of transmission.ⁱⁱⁱ

Ongoing national threat

Meningococcal disease continues to pose a serious health threat, with national case numbers exceeding 130 annually over the past two years.ⁱⁱ To date in 2025, 102 cases have been recorded across the country - with New South Wales (31), Queensland (22) and Victoria (21) recording particularly high numbers.ⁱⁱ

Dangerous blind spot among our teens

New GSK research also highlights a dangerous knowledge gap about meningococcal disease among young Australians aged 18 to 24. Only 9% believe they are personally at risk of meningococcal disease, nearly half (48%) cannot name a single symptom, one in three (29%) say they are not at all familiar with the disease and only a quarter (26%) know there are different strains of meningococcal bacteria.^viii

In contrast, more than nine in ten (93%) parents are familiar with meningococcal disease to some extent, and nearly half (47%) of parents of adolescents consider it extremely severe, compared with just 16% of young adults.^viii

Awareness gaps identified through GSK's research brings an updated Australian perspective to findings from an earlier global survey across 8 countries, including Australian parents.^ix

Meningitis Centre Australia CEO, Karen Quick, added: “We know Schoolies is an exciting milestone, and we want young people to enjoy it - but awareness is critical. Most teens don’t see themselves as being at risk and this lack of awareness along with an absence of parental vigilance could mean symptoms are missed, delaying urgent medical care. A simple conversation before Schoolies could help save a life. Knowing what to look for, and acting fast if something feels wrong, can make all the difference.”

Claudia Gill, a 21-year-old meningococcal survivor from Newcastle says: “The year after I finished school, I’d just returned from a trip to Queensland when I came down with a headache and sensitivity to light and sound. I thought it was just the flu until my symptoms worsened rapidly overnight. Luckily, I was still living at home with my parents and within 24 hours they had taken me to hospital. After 6 weeks recovery I was fortunate to be left with only some occasional sound sensitivity, but the doctors said if I went just half an hour more without treatment, my story could have been very different.”

Know the signs. Act fast. Don’t wait for a rash.

For advice and more information about the disease, visit: https://knowmeningococcal.com.au and speak with your doctor.

The signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease should be taken seriously, and medical attention sought quickly.v,vi Early symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, sensitivity to lights, drowsiness or confusion, headache and stiff neck. For babies: Symptoms may also include high-pitched moaning cry, difficult feeding, floppiness, or a bulging fontanelle (soft spot, on top of the head).

*Odds Ratio (OR) is a comparison of two groups: one with an exposure (e.g., smoking) and one without. An OR above 1 means the exposed group is associated with higher odds of an outcome (e.g., meningococcal carriage).

 

ENDS 

Media Enquiries: Bonnie Leibel, 0437 819 965, bonnie@cube.com.au OR Ffion Williams, 0468 613 686, ffion@cube.com.au

GSK Enquiries: Emma Power, 0419 149 525, emma.k.power@gsk.com  

About invasive meningococcal disease

Invasive meningococcal disease is a rare bacterial infection caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.^vi There are multiple types (strains) of meningococcal bacteria. Globally, there are 6 types which most commonly cause disease (A, B, C, W, X and Y).^v Currently in Australia, 3 strains cause the majority of disease (B, W and Y).^x

 

Table 1: Laboratory-confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia, 2022 – 2024, by serogroup.

	Total Cases
IMD Serogroup	2022xi	2023x,xii	2024x,xii
B	100	106	108
C	0	0	1
W	5	11	2
Y	12	11	18
Not Determined	4	6	6
Total	121	134	135

While most people infected will survive and recover, this rare but potentially devastating infection can progress rapidly and lead to serious disability (up to 1 in 3 who survive the disease may suffer long-term complications or disability, which may include, among others, chronic headaches, skin scarring, brain damage, deafness or loss of limb/s)^xiii or death (up to 1 in 10 infected may die) even with appropriate medical care, within 24-48 hours.^v,vi,xiii

While meningococcal disease can occur at any age, infants, small children, adolescents, and young adults between 15–24 years old are at most risk.^x Early symptoms of IMD may be non-specific.^vi

Symptoms may include sudden onset of fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, rash of red-purple spots or bruises, dislike of bright lights and nausea and vomiting.^vi The distinctive purple or red meningococcal rash is an advanced symptom of blood infection, which may or may not occur.^vi Young children may have less-specific symptoms including irritability, difficulty waking, high-pitched crying, a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on top of the head), and refusal to eat.^v,vi

Good hygiene practices such as handwashing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and discarding used tissues promptly, are important to help prevent the spread of germs. Vaccines are available to help prevent meningococcal disease. While there is currently no single vaccine that protects against all strains of meningococcal disease, different vaccines protect against different strains of meningococcal disease.^vi

About the GSK survey^viii

On behalf of GSK Australia, IQVIA conducted an online survey among 659 Australians split evenly between parents of children (0-4 years) and parents of adolescents (15-19 years) and young adults, in April-May 2025. The purpose was to measure and understand awareness and perceptions of meningococcal disease among parents and young adults (18-24 years), attitudes and discussion about meningococcal disease. There were 60% female and 40% male respondents. The recruited sample is not nationally representative. The majority of respondents resided in NSW (31%), VIC (27%) and QLD (17%).

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com. 

References:

ⁱ Australian National University. The Psychology of Schoolies. Available at: https://medicine-psychology.anu.edu.au/research/research-projects/psychology-schoolies#:~:text=Schoolies%20is%20the%20largest%20youth,the%20end%20of%20secondary%20school. Accessed: October 2025.

ⁱⁱ NNDSS reported cases of IMD, 3 November 2025. Available at: https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbidashboard/. Accessed: November 2025.

ⁱⁱⁱ Christensen H, May M, Bowen L, Hickman M, Trotter CL. Meningococcal carriage by age: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2010;10(12):853–861. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(10)70251-6

^iv World Health Organisation. Fact Sheet: Meningococcal meningitis. Available at: http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/meningococcal-meningitis. Accessed: November 2025.

^v Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Disease Symptoms and Complications. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/symptoms/index.html. Accessed: November 2025.

^vi Health Direct. Meningococcal disease. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/meningococcaldisease. Accessed: November 2025.

^vii Marshall HS, McMillan M, Koehler AP, Lawrence A, Sullivan TR, MacLennan JM, Maiden MC, Ladhani SN, Ramsay ME, Trotter C, Borrow R. Meningococcal B vaccine and meningococcal carriage in adolescents in Australia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020 Jan 23;382(4):318-27

^viii IQVIA Meningococcal disease awareness survey June 2025.

^ix Ballalai I, et al. Understanding barriers to vaccination against invasive meningococcal disease: a survey of the knowledge gap and potential solutions. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2023 Jan -Dec;22(1):457-467. doi:10.1080/14760584.2023.2211163

^x Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Annual Report, 2023. Available at: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/CA1DBF11D71F5F3ECA258ADE0019B036/$File/cdi-2024-48-52.pdf. Accessed: November 2025.

^xi Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Annual Report, 2022. Available at: https://ojs.cdi.cdc.gov.au/index.php/cdi/article/view/41/3205. Accessed:November 2025.

^xii Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Quarterly report, 2024. Available at: https://ojs.cdi.cdc.gov.au/index.php/cdi/article/view/3400/4911. Accessed: November 2025.

^xiii Shen J, Begum N, Ruiz-Garcia Y, Martinon-Torres F, Bekkat-Berkani R, Meszaros K. Range of invasive meningococcal disease sequelae and health economic application - a systematic and clinical review. BMC Public Health. 2022 May 31;22(1):1078. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13342-2.