NT child dies from meningococcal disease

A baby who recently contracted meningococcal B has died in Royal Darwin Hospital.

The infant was brought to the hospital in a critical condition on June 13.

It was fifth meningococcal infection in the Northern Territory this year, with the other four cases all being the W strain.

The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is available free for people aged 1-19, while the B vaccine must be purchased.

Darwin woman Mary-Ellen Hurley, 34, died from meningococcal disease on New Year's Eve after presenting at the Palmerston Hospital emergency department.

The Centre for Disease Control urges people to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.