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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).

Last updated : 16 Mar 2016

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