A NEW generation vaccine for meningococcal disease is now available in Australia following a worldwide shortage which depleted local supplies.

The vaccine protects against the C strain of the disease, which makes up about a third of all meningococcal cases, but accounts for more than half the deaths.

Australians have been unable to protect themselves against the disease since the makers of the previous vaccine, launched in Australia in February, announced in May that they had only emergency supplies left.

The new vaccine, NeisVac-C is available nationally on prescription from today.

Its manufacturer, Baxter Healthcare, said it was prepared for a rush as thousands of Australians attempted to have unfilled prescriptions replaced.

Baxter said it was confident of meeting the demand and was also bidding to supply vaccine for the Federal Government's national immunisation program scheduled for next year.

AAP