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Meningococcal disease usually occurs as meningitis or sepsis (blood poisoning).
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Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. It can cause life-threatening septicaemia and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
There are 12 known groups of meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis). Meningococcal group B (MenB) is responsible for about 9 in every 10 meningococcal infections in the UK.
For more information about meningococcal disease and signs and symptoms, go to:
NHS 111 Wales - Meningitis (external site)
The MenB vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningococcal bacteria group B.
As part of the routine immunisation programme in Wales, the MenB vaccine is offered to babies at:
For more information about the timing of the 12-week dose, go to Changes to Childhood Immunisation Schedule.
Some medical conditions increase the risk of severe infections. People who already have these conditions may need the MenB vaccine. The conditions include:
The vaccine should not be given to babies who have had a serious (life-threatening) reaction to:
If your baby has had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients in the past, speak to the person giving the vaccine.
If you have any questions about the MenB vaccine, or you are not sure about when your baby or child should have it, you can contact your GP surgery for advice.
Babies will normally be given the MenB vaccine as an injection in their upper leg (thigh). Older children and adults will normally have it as an injection in their upper arm.
The MenB vaccine, Bexsero, is the only vaccine currently available in the UK that offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria. For more details, go to:
Babies will need three doses of the MenB vaccine to be fully protected. Children who have missed vaccinations and had less than two doses of MenB vaccine in the first year of life should have further doses before they reach two years of age.
MenB vaccine is not routinely given to children over two years old unless they are in an at-risk group. For example, children who have certain problems with their immune system.
If your child has missed any doses or you are in an at-risk group, speak to your GP or practice nurse for advice.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningitis B infection. No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is still important to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, even if you or your child are vaccinated.
For more information about meningitis and septicaemia, go to:
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Meningitis (external site)
Meningitis signs and symptoms | Meningitis Now (external site)
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Sepsis (external site)
The most common side effect of the MenB vaccine in babies is a fever, or high temperature. Other common side effects include:
It is recommended that babies are given infant liquid paracetamol to prevent fever after vaccination. The nurse will give you more information about paracetamol at your vaccination appointment.
It is a good idea to have some infant liquid paracetamol at home before the two-month vaccination visit. You can buy it from local pharmacies or supermarkets. Never give babies the higher-strength paracetamol liquid used for older children. Never give medicines that contain aspirin to a baby.
See the frequently asked questions below for more information about infant liquid paracetamol.
Other reactions are rare. For more information on common and rare side effects, see:
If you are concerned about symptoms, contact NHS 111 Wales (external site) by calling 111. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobile phones.
You should report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. You can do this online at mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard (external site) or by calling the Yellow Card scheme hotline on 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Your baby may get a fever after any vaccination, but it is more common when the MenB vaccine is given with the other routine infant vaccinations. Giving your baby paracetamol soon after their vaccination and not waiting for a fever to develop will reduce the risk of them having a fever.
Give the first dose of paracetamol as soon as possible after your baby has had their vaccination. Use only infant-strength (120mg/5ml) liquid paracetamol. For very premature babies (born before 32 weeks), a doctor should prescribe the paracetamol.
Paracetamol doses after the first two MenB vaccinations
For babies aged eight weeks to six months, give half a teaspoon (2.5ml) using the spoon or syringe provided with the medicine.
| Age of baby | Usually at 8 weeks, up to 6 months of age |
|---|---|
| Dose 1 | One 2.5ml (60mg) dose as soon as possible after vaccination. |
| Dose 2 | One 2.5ml (60mg) dose 4 to 6 hours after first dose. |
| Dose 3 | One 2.5ml (60mg) dose 4 to 6 hours after second dose. |
Follow this schedule after each of the first two MenB vaccinations.
This information applies after your baby has had the MenB vaccine. If your baby has a fever at any other time, you should follow the instructions and dose advice on the product packaging and patient information leaflet.
Make sure you have a supply of infant-strength paracetamol at home before your baby’s first vaccination appointment. You can buy it from a pharmacy or supermarket.
Don’t give the first dose before your vaccine visit, as the nurse needs to check for signs of existing infection, which may mean delaying the vaccination.
If 48 hours after their vaccination your baby still has a fever, or if you are concerned about your baby’s health at any time:
Your child will need paracetamol with MenB vaccinations given under 12 months of age.
However, paracetamol is not routinely needed after the MenB vaccine given at 12 months. This is because by this age, the risk of fever is less.
! Never give medicines containing aspirin to children under 16 years.
If you would like to learn more about the MenB vaccine or the diseases it protects against, a number of information resources are available to help. You can also call NHS 111 or your GP practice for advice if you have any questions.
Meningitis Research Foundation (external site) is a leading UK, Irish and international charity that brings together people and expertise to defeat meningitis.
Meningitis Now (external site) is a national meningitis charity based in the United Kingdom.