New Men B immunisation advice
Following recent high profile stories about child deaths from meningitis B, Public Health England has issued further advice:
Men B immunisation programme
Following recent media coverage about the death of a young girl from invasive meningococcal disease caused by Men B, many GP practices have had queries from parents about the availability of Men B immunisation.
This information is taken from Public Health England publications and the GOV.UK website (see below for details).
What is the national policy for Men B immunisation?
The Men B immunisation programme started on 1 September 2015 for babies aged 2 months, ie, babies born on or after 1 July 2015. There was a limited catch-up programme for babies born on or after 1 May 2015. The routine schedule is for immunisation to be given at 2 and 4 months with the primaries, with a booster at 12 months.
Can I vaccinate children born before 1 May 2015 if parents request it?
No. The national stock of Bexsero® should only be used to vaccinate children who are eligible for NHS vaccination.
Can I vaccinate children born on or after 1 May 2015 who have not yet been vaccinated?
Yes. All children in the eligible cohort (ie, born on or after 1 May 2015) remain eligible for Men B immunisation until the age of two years. When Bexsero® has not been given as part of a primary course, give two doses at least two months apart. Those children who have received one dose before their first birthday only require one more dose. Please see the MenB PGD for more information.
If parents ask to pay for Men B immunisation for their children, what should I tell them?
GPs should not charge their own patients (ie, those registered at their practice) a private fee for the vaccine.
Parents seeking the vaccine privately should be made aware that they will be liable for the full costs of the vaccine and any additional administration charges that the private provider may apply. We understand that GSK has supply constraints on the Bexsero vaccine for the private market. Practices must not use centrally-procured stock for the national programme to vaccinate private patients or any patients outside the eligible cohort (other than those at high risk as defined in the green book).
Further information
- Information for parents – please direct parents to NHS Choices or the GOV.UK website.
There is general information about MenB immunisation on the NHS Choices website.
- There is information for parents and professionals about MenB immunisation on the GOV.UK website.
- “Immunisation against meningococcal B disease for infants aged from two months. Information for healthcare professionals” from the GOV.UK website.
- The Green Book chapter 22.
- The MenB PGD (your practice should have a copy of the PGD).
We can work it out: powering up London's primary care workforce - Londonwide LMCs' Annual Conference 2016 (08 Dec 2015)
Back in October we recommended that you held Wednesday 20 April 2016 in your calendar. The reason? It’s the date of Londonwide LMCs’ annual conference. The free, must attend event...GP help wanted with audit of research requests (08 Dec 2015)
The BMA have requested help from GPs in developing standards for research requests. If you receive any requests from researchers between now and 29 January 2016 that you would...Londonwide LMCs' second workforce survey - Thank you (08 Dec 2015)
Thank you for making space in your hectic day to complete our recent short survey on practice workforce issues. This was a follow-up to the survey that many of you...Provider Development and our support to emerging federations (08 Dec 2015)
One of the priority work areas for Londonwide LMCs is on Provider Development and how we as an organisation support emerging federations wherever they are developing. We have teamed up...Speakers' Corner - The most fun a GP can have without coming to the attention of the GMC (08 Dec 2015)
This month Dr Paul O'Reilly explains the challenges of working with a homeless patient population and the rewards his work offers. Paul is a partner at the Dr Hickey Practice in Westminster...Patient Online – prepare now for next year’s contractual deadline (08 Dec 2015)
As you know, promoting the use of online appointment booking and online repeat prescription ordering are contractual requirements for Patient Online. These are routinely offered to patients in London. From...Mword - Issue 25 now available (02 Dec 2015)
Wednesday 2 December 2015Londonwide LMCs statement on 2015 spending review - Dr Michelle Drage, CEO (25 Nov 2015)
“Today’s announcement falls short of what is needed to address the challenges facing general practice in the Capital and beyond. “The Statement contains nothing new for...M Word - Issue 24 - November 2015 now available (20 Nov 2015)
20 November 2015 Following my message earlier this week, I want to update you further on events over the...M Word - Issue 23 - November 2015 now available (17 Nov 2015)
17 November 2015 This week will see the arrival of winter with its crisp blue skies and the hope of...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.