A plea to fully fund meningococcal vaccines for all young people

Pharmac has funded the meningococcal B vaccine for all under five years old, to protect up to 77-thousand additional children from the disease.

Meningitis Foundation Chair Gerard Rushton says it's wonderful news, but is calling for all Kiwis to be protected and safe - especially adolescents.

He says the only one's eligible are those in first year boarding schools, halls of residence, prisons or barracks, which discriminates those who can't afford.