Tests have confirmed that the young patient admitted to Palmerston North Hospital this week with meningococcal disease has contracted the same deadly strain behind the outbreak in Northland.

Photo: Andrey Popov 123RF

Some Northland children and teenagers are being given free jabs to protect against the MenW strain, to avert a bigger outbreak.

MidCentral medical officer of health Robert Weir said the District Health Board was following up with people who may have been in contact with the Palmerston North patient.

He said vaccinations were being offered to close contacts.

The patient has since been transferred to Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland.