But a global shortage of vaccine will mean only the most susceptible will get it first.

As reported in the Herald Sun yesterday, 1.1 million infants and teens will be given vaccinations for meningococcal disease next year.

The initial $41 million vaccination of 12-month-olds and 15 to 17-year-olds will form part of a 15-year, $320 million attempt to eradicate the bacterial infection.

Senator Patterson said her aim was to have all ages vaccinated. "We are starting with high-risk groups," she said.

"This vaccine has a 30- year life so what it should do is cover those children through late adolescence and early adulthood."

There have been 353 cases of meningococcal disease in Australia so far this year, with 24 deaths.

The vaccine from drug company Wyeth protects from meningococcal disease strain C which, while accounting for only 37 per cent of cases, is more likely to kill.

Giving the $40 vaccine to every Australian would cost $790 million.

Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday he would consider using $250 million of unpaid excise held by tobacco wholesalers since 1997 to fund a meningococcal awareness campaign.

Labor made this suggestion prompted by medical evidence that children who live with smokers are four times more likely to contract meningococcal disease.

Wyeth spokeswoman Rachel David said while the company had high hopes for the vaccination program, people should not expect complete eradication of the disease.

She said all Australians should be educated about the different strains of meningococcal.

"There is no vaccine for meningococcal B, which causes about a third of all meningococcal deaths in Australia," she said.