Meningococcal group B vaccine
Generic name: meningococcal group B vaccine [ me-NIN-je-KOK-al-group-B-vax-EEN ]
Brand names: Bexsero, Trumenba
Dosage form: intramuscular suspension (fully recombinant; recombinant, OMV, adjuvanted)
Drug class:Bacterial vaccines
What is meningococcal group B vaccine?
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can infect the spinal cord and brain, causing meningitis that can be fatal or lead to permanent and disabling medical problems.
Meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria is usually passed through close contact with an infected person, especially through kissing, or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil.
Meningococcal group B vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by serogroup B meningococcal bacteria. This vaccine contains four common strains of group B meningococcal bacteria.
This vaccine helps your body develop immunity to meningitis, but will not treat an active infection you already have.
Meningococcal group B vaccine is for use in children and young adults who are 10 to 25 years old. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that the best time to get this vaccine is between the ages of 16 and 18 years old.
Like any vaccine, the meningococcal group B vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
Before taking this medicine
You should not receive this vaccine if you've ever had an allergic reaction to meningococcal group B vaccine.
This vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all if you have:
an allergy to latex rubber;
a severe illness with a fever or any type of infection; or
a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicine (this vaccine may not be as effective if you are immunosuppressed).
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold.
Your doctor should determine whether you need this vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How is this vaccine given?
This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or clinic setting.
Meningococcal group B vaccine is recommended if:
you've been exposed to an outbreak of meningococcal disease;
you work in a laboratory and are exposed to meningococcal bacteria;
you have a medical problem affecting your spleen, or your spleen has been removed;
you use a medicine called eculizumab (Soliris); or
