WELLINGTON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Health Minister David Clark on Monday announced the launch of a targeted vaccination program in Northland to control an outbreak of the deadly meningococcal disease.

"The advice from clinical experts is that MenW has reached outbreak levels in Northland and we should urgently launch an immunization program to prevent further spread of the disease," Clark said in a statement.

This MenW strain has a high mortality rate and tragically has killed three people in Northland this year. So far 29 people have contracted MenW nationwide in 2018, more than twice as many as in 2017, including seven in Northland.

"Following advice about the best use of available vaccine, we will begin targeted vaccinations in Northland next month," Clark said, adding the vaccination program will target Northland residents who are aged 9 months to four years, and those aged 13 to 19 years.

Research shows that vaccinating these two age groups is the best way to reduce the spread of meningococcal disease across the entire Northland community, according to the minister.

Northland District Health Board plans to start a three-week community vaccination program on Dec. 5 in selected high schools and community centers across Northland, Clark said, adding there is strong international demand for the MenW vaccine, which is in short supply.