# Meningococcal B

> The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

Source: https://medova.health/en/knowledge/vaccines/meningococcal-b · Language: en

## Vaccine Information

- Type: Subunit
- Administration: Injection
- WHO Code: MENB
- Travel Recommended: Yes

## Overview

Recombinant protein-based vaccines targeting Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. Two licensed products: Bexsero (4CMenB — GSK, 4-component: fHbp, NadA, NHBA, OMV) and Trumenba (MenB-FHbp — Pfizer, bivalent fHbp). Serogroup B is the leading cause of meningococcal disease in Europe, Australia, and parts of the Americas. Unlike polysaccharide-based MenACWY vaccines, MenB vaccines use recombinant surface proteins due to poor immunogenicity of serogroup B capsular polysaccharide.

Recombinant protein-based vaccines targeting Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. Two licensed products: Bexsero (4CMenB — GSK, 4-component: fHbp, NadA, NHBA, OMV) and Trumenba (MenB-FHbp — Pfizer, bivalent fHbp). Serogroup B is the leading cause of meningococcal disease in Europe, Australia, and parts of the Americas. Unlike polysaccharide-based MenACWY vaccines, MenB vaccines use recombinant surface proteins due to poor immunogenicity of serogroup B capsular polysaccharide.

Infants and adolescents in countries with national MenB programs (UK from 2 months, Australia, Italy, others). Adolescents and young adults 16–23 years (shared clinical decision-making, ACIP). Persons with complement deficiency, properdin deficiency, factor D deficiency. Functional or anatomic asplenia. Persons receiving complement inhibitor therapy (eculizumab, ravulizumab). Microbiologists routinely exposed to N. meningitidis isolates. Outbreak response in communities or institutions.

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or any vaccine component. Moderate to severe acute illness (defer until recovery). No contraindication based on immunocompromised status (non-live vaccine).

Bexsero — Very common (≥1/10): injection site pain (86%), erythema (80% infants), induration, fever (69% in infants when co-administered with routine vaccines — give prophylactic paracetamol). Common: irritability, unusual crying (infants), headache, nausea, myalgia, arthralgia. Trumenba — Very common: injection site pain (85%), fatigue (44%), headache (35%), myalgia (35%). Rare: febrile seizures in young infants (when co-administered). Kawasaki disease: signal detected but not confirmed as causal.

Bexsero: Infants 2–5 months: 3 doses (2, 4, 6 months) + booster at 12–15 months. Infants 6–11 months: 2 doses ≥2 months apart + booster in 2nd year. Adolescents/adults: 2 doses ≥1 month apart. Trumenba: 2 doses ≥6 months apart (routine), or 3 doses at 0, 1–2, 6 months (outbreak/high risk). Dose: 0.5 mL IM in deltoid (adults/older children) or anterolateral thigh (infants).

Bexsero: 68–91% strain coverage by MATS (varies by country). UK infant program: 75% effectiveness against MenB disease (2-dose primary + booster). hSBA seroresponse: ≥84% for each antigen after primary series. Trumenba: hSBA response against 4 test strains: 82–90% after 2 or 3 doses. Duration: antibody waning observed after 12–24 months, booster recommended for ongoing risk.

Store at +2°C to +8°C. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Use immediately after removal from refrigerator. Shake well before use (white suspension). Shelf life: 24 months (Bexsero), 36 months (Trumenba).

Can be co-administered with MenACWY, Tdap, HPV, and inactivated influenza vaccines at different injection sites. Prophylactic paracetamol/acetaminophen recommended when co-administered with routine infant vaccines to reduce fever incidence (does not reduce immunogenicity — confirmed in clinical trials). No significant drug interactions. Immunosuppressive therapy may reduce response.

Pregnancy: insufficient human data. Animal studies (Bexsero): no adverse developmental effects. Administer only if clearly needed during outbreak. Breastfeeding: unknown whether vaccine antigens are excreted in breast milk; expected to be safe (non-live vaccine). Use if indicated.

**Breastfeeding:** Meningococcal B vaccines (Bexsero®, Trumenba®) are recombinant protein vaccines (non-live) and are considered compatible with breastfeeding. There are no data on the presence of vaccine antigens in human milk. As non-live vaccines, they pose no theoretical risk to the nursing infant. No interruption of breastfeeding is necessary.

Bexsero approved from 2 months of age. Trumenba approved from 10 years. Infants: prophylactic antipyretic recommended when co-administered with routine vaccines. Higher reactogenicity in younger infants. Febrile seizures: slightly increased risk when given with DTaP-containing vaccines.

Adults ≥65 years: limited data. Immunogenicity may be reduced in elderly. Consider vaccination for those with functional asplenia or complement deficiency regardless of age.

Bexsero and Trumenba are NOT interchangeable — complete the series with the same product. Strain coverage varies by region: Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS) or hSBA predict ~66–91% coverage of circulating strains (varies geographically). Vaccination does NOT replace MenACWY — serogroup B is a separate target. Fever management: pre-dose paracetamol for infants receiving Bexsero with routine vaccines.

## Side Effects

- Arthralgia (Common)
- Chills (Common)
- Diarrhea (Common)
- Drowsiness (Very common)
- Fatigue (Very common)
- Fever (Very common)
- Generalized rash (Uncommon)
- Headache (Very common)
- Injection site pain (Very common)
- Injection site redness (Very common)
- Injection site swelling (Very common)
- Irritability (Very common)
- Myalgia (Very common)
- Nausea (Very common)
- Syncope (Uncommon)

## Contraindications

- Acute febrile illness (Precaution)
- Age below minimum recommended (Absolute)
- Anaphylaxis after previous dose (Absolute)
- Allergy to vaccine component (Absolute)
- Bleeding disorder (Precaution)
- Pregnancy (Precaution)

## Vaccination Schedule

| Dose | Brand | Days from previous | Age range |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dose 1 | Bexsero | — | 2 months+ |
| Dose 1 | Trumenba | — | 10 years+ |
| Dose 1 | Trumenba | — | 10 years+ |
| Dose 2 | Trumenba | 180d | — |
| Dose 2 | Bexsero | 30d | — |
| Dose 2 | Trumenba | 60d | — |
| Dose 3 | Trumenba | 120d | — |

## FAQ

**How many doses of Meningococcal B are needed?**

The Meningococcal B vaccination schedule consists of 7 dose(s).

**What are the side effects of Meningococcal B?**

Common side effects include: Arthralgia, Chills, Diarrhea, Drowsiness, Fatigue.

**Who should not get Meningococcal B?**

Contraindications include: Acute febrile illness, Age below minimum recommended, Anaphylaxis after previous dose, Allergy to vaccine component, Bleeding disorder.

## Prevents

- [Meningococcal Meningitis](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/diseases/meningococcal-meningitis)

## Indications

- [France](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/france): Recommended
- [Italy](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/italy): Recommended
- [United Kingdom](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/united-kingdom): Recommended
- [Australia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/australia): Recommended
- [Ireland](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/ireland): Recommended
- [Argentina](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/argentina): Recommended
- [Portugal](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/portugal): Recommended
- [Canada](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/canada): Recommended
- [Austria](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/austria): Recommended
- [Spain](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/spain): Recommended

## Sources & content verification

- Data sources: WHO Position Papers, CDC Pink Book 2024, EMA SmPC, WHO Position Papers 2024, CDC Pink Book 2024, LactMed (NIH)
- [www.who.int](https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers)
- [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/)

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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

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