Meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccination in babies and young children - Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination in babies and young children – Information for health professionals
Background
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a notifiable disease, which is a rapidly progressive bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The organism is spread by respiratory droplets and has an incubation period of two to seven days. IMD most commonly presents as meningitis (acute) or sepsis, or a combination of both.
Meningococcal disease occurs most frequently in babies younger than one year, with rates decreasing as children get older. A smaller increase in cases is also seen among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years.
Meningococcal disease is fatal in 5% to 10% of cases. Those who survive may experience serious long‑term complications such as hearing loss, severe visual impairment, communication problems, limb amputation(s), seizures, and brain damage.
Meningococci are grouped into different types (serogroups) based on markers on the outside of the bacteria (capsular polysaccharide). In the UK, the serogroups of greatest clinical and public health importance are B, C, W and Y.
Since the introduction of the UK MenB programme in 2015 and MenACWY adolescent programme in 2015 the incidence of IMD has fallen substantially, though cases continue to occur across all age groups.
The MenB vaccine for babies has cut MenB disease by about three‑quarters in the children who received it, compared with children who were not vaccinated. MenB disease has risen since social contact returned to normal after the COVID‑19 pandemic and vaccine uptake has fallen, leaving more people unprotected. Unlike other meningococcal strains, MenB vaccines don’t create strong herd immunity, so timely vaccination is important to ensure young children are protected from MenB disease.
The vaccine
Bexsero®, a four-component meningococcal B (4CMenB) protein vaccine is the recommended vaccine for the routine childhood programme.
Bexsero® is an inactivated injectable vaccine in a pre-filled syringe presentation. Bexsero is an rDNA component adsorbed vaccine.
The MenB vaccine is effective against serious infections caused by meningococcal group B bacteria. The vaccine may also protect against infection by capsular groups other than group B.
The vaccine is given at:
- 8 weeks,
- 12 weeks and
- 12 months of age.
In July 2025 the second MenB dose was brought forward to provide earlier protection in babies, who are at the highest risk of invasive MenB disease (IMD).
To find out more about these changes, go to changes to the childhood immunisation schedule – Information for health professionals.
Catchup eligibility
MenB catch-up vaccination is only routinely recommended for children under two years of age. For babies under two, the total number of doses depends on the child’s age at presentation and previous MenB vaccination history. For details on doses see Green Book – Meningococcal.
Children aged two years and over are not routinely eligible for MenB vaccination unless they fall into a specific clinical risk group as defined in the chapters Green Book – Immunisation of individuals with underlying medical conditions and Green Book – Meningococcal. This is because the highest risk of IMD is in babies. The policy is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an expert advisory group, who advise the UK government on vaccines and immunisation. The committee continues to monitor epidemiology and emerging evidence.
Some points healthcare professionals may wish to inform parents:
- The highest risk for IMD is in infancy.
- The MenB vaccination programme is designed to provide early protection.
- The JCVI will keep the programme under regular review.
Summary of product characteristics
Schedule guidance in the Green Book chapter – Meningococcal supersedes the SmPC.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. You should report suspected adverse reactions of vaccines and medicines online at Yellow Card, by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
The Complete Routine Immunisation Schedule includes information about routine and non-routine vaccinations.
Guidance
Vaccination programme recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Welsh Government policy can be found at the links below.
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation - read JCVI publications and statements; search e.g. meningococcal.
Welsh Health Circulars and Welsh Government letters
Clinical resources and information
- The Green Book, chapter – Meningococcal
- Meningococcal B: vaccine information for healthcare professionals (UKHSA)
- Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination
Patient group directions (PGDs) and protocols
PGD templates for vaccines can be found on the Welsh Medicines Advice Service PGDs page.
Further clinical resources and information
Training resources and events
Online courses and training materials about a number of vaccines and diseases can be accessed via the E-learning page.
Further immunisation training information and resources are provided on the Training Resources and Events page.
Data and surveillance
Vaccination surveillance information can be found on the pages below:
- Data and surveillance
- COVER – National childhood immunisation uptake data
- Meningococcal disease: guidance, data and analysis (UKHSA)
Page last reviewed: 27th May 2026