News
MENINGITIS B VACCINE
13th May 2016
MENINGITIS B VACCINE ( MenB / BEXSERO )
THIS VACCINE IS NOW AVAILABLE AT ELMWOOD MEDICAL PRACTICE
( please contact the reception staff for further information and cost of the vaccine and its administration. 021 - 4893255 )
( The HSE has received additional funding for 2016 to include Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine in the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme and proposes introducing it for babies born later in 2016. No date confirmed yet )
What is Bexsero vaccine?
Bexsero is a meningococcal Group B (MenB) vaccine which is indicated for the active
immunisation of individuals against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria
meningitidis group B.
Bexsero is not a live vaccine.
What age group can Bexsero be given to?
Bexsero is indicated for individuals from 2 months and older.
What is the vaccine dose and site?
The vaccine dose is 0.5ml and the intramuscular site determined by the age
Birth to < 12 months in the thigh
12 to < 36 months in the thigh
Older in the arm
What is the schedule?
The schedule ranges from 2?3 doses as the primary course with a possible booster
depending on the age, to be given one week after the routine baby vaccines
Age group Primary Immunisation Minimum Interval Booster
2 – <6 months Two doses 1 month apart and 1 dose at 12 months of age
6 – <12 months Two doses 2 months apart and 1 dose over 12 months of age
12 ? <24 months Two doses 2 months apart and 1 dose 12 to 23 months after the primary series
2 – <11 years Two doses 2 months apart
11 years and older Two doses 1 month apart
Are there any reasons not to give the vaccine?
Contraindications
· Known hypersensitivity to any of the vaccine constituents including kanamycin and
latex
Precautions
· Acute severe febrile illness; defer until recovery.
· Bexsero should be administered with caution to individuals with coagulation defects.
If vaccines are given intramuscularly to those with a bleeding disorder or receiving
anticoagulant treatment it is prudent to apply pressure to the vaccine site for 1?2
minutes after the injections. In those with a severe bleeding tendency vaccination can
be scheduled shortly after administration of clotting factor replacement or similar
therapy.
· Pregnancy: NIAC has stated that the potential risk of vaccination in pregnancy is
unknown. Vaccination should be considered where there is a risk of exposure to
meningococcal infection.
What are the side effects?
Bexsero was licensed in Europe (January 2013), Australia (August 2013) and Canada
(December 2013)
More than half a million doses of Bexsero have been distributed worldwide and the side
effect profile is as follows:
Infants and children up to 10 years
Very common (1/10):
Fever (≥38ºC) tenderness or pain at the injection site, skin rash, sleepiness, irritability,
unusual crying, vomiting, diarrhoea, eating disorders
Uncommon (1/1000, <1/100):
High fever (≥40°C), seizures (including febrile seizures), eczema
Rare (1/10,000, <1/1000):
Kawasaki disease, urticaria
From 11 years and older
Very common (1/10):
Tenderness or pain at the injection site, headache, nausea, myalgia, arthralgia
Should anything be given to reduce the risk of fever?
Yes. Paracetamol has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of fever in children
under 2 years of age and should be given at the time of or closely after vaccination in this age group.
Note: The studies were only conducted using paracetamol and not ibuprofen.
How long does it take for immunity to develop?
It takes about 2 weeks for immunity to develop but this wanes over time so subsequent
doses are needed to maintain this immunity.