Meningitis B

Meningitis B is a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia. It can progress rapidly and be life-threatening.

Meningitis B can affect anyone, but the highest risk groups are babies and young children under 5, followed by teenagers and young adults (especially those living in shared accommodation, such as university halls). People with weakened immune systems or certain medical conditions are also at greater risk.

The NHS routinely offers it to babies, and - in some cases - to those at higher risk.

If you are not eligible, you can choose to be vaccinated privately at clinics like ours.

MenB vaccination is available for both children and adults. In the UK, Bexsero is routinely offered on the NHS to babies as part of the childhood immunisation schedule, and may also be recommended for individuals at increased risk of meningococcal disease.

Privately, MenB vaccination can be offered using either Trumenba or Bexsero for older children and adults who wish to reduce their risk of meningococcal B infection. This may include students, travellers, healthcare workers, or individuals seeking additional protection.

Trumenba is licensed in the UK for individuals aged 10 years and over. For younger children and infants, Bexsero is the licensed MenB vaccine typically used.

Both Trumenba and Bexsero are licensed MenB vaccines and are considered effective in providing lasting immunity on completion of the recommended course.

They are different vaccines made by different manufacturers (Pfizer and GSK), and they target the bacteria in slightly different ways. This means coverage against specific strains may vary, but overall protection is comparable.

It is worth calling us. We have been advised that we may be able to secure supplies of Bexsero specifically to help patients complete an existing vaccination schedule, and at times we may also have limited stock reserved for these situations.

Availability can vary, so we would recommend contacting the clinic to discuss your circumstances and current stock availability.

For most adults and older children receiving Trumenba, the standard course is 2 doses given at least 6 months apart. In some higher-risk situations, an accelerated 3-dose schedule may be recommended.

At present, online bookings are usually for Trumenba, as Bexsero availability can be limited due to national supply constraints.

When Bexsero is available in stock, the number of doses required depends on age at vaccination. Infants and young children usually require multiple doses, while older children and adults commonly receive a 2-dose course. Your clinician will advise the most appropriate schedule based on age and risk factors.

Most people tolerate the vaccine well. The most common side effects are soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or headache. These usually settle within a day or two. Serious side effects are very rare.

Protection from the meningitis B vaccination may reduce over time, particularly if vaccination was given many years previously. In general, a full course of meningitis B vaccine consists of 3 doses in infants and younger children, which provides meaningful protection. Receiving only one or two doses may not provide full or long-lasting protection.

Whether further vaccination is needed can depend on factors such as the age at vaccination, how many doses were received, and any current risk factors or exposure risk.

We recommend seeking medical advice if you are unsure. You can speak with your NHS GP, or alternatively book a telephone consultation with one of our GPs (£75) to discuss your situation in more detail.

While we cannot provide specific medical advice outside of the setting of a GP consultation, we are able to offer direct vaccine appointments where appropriate.

We are aware of the uniquely stressful situation children who attend these schools are in.

We will do our very best to support students who continue to attend these schools to get the vaccination schedule of their choice.

If you are booking for a student of these schools and you would like a vaccination ASAP, please email us and we will do the best to find a time to fit you in with minimal delay.

If you are a student of these schools and book in with us for Trumenba, but would prefer Bexsero if it is available, just ask us via email after you book, or give us a call during our opening hours to request this. Commonly we can assist with this request.

We monitor our stock levels continuously. If our booking link allows you to book a vaccine appointment, this means we currently have available stock allocated for booking.

If stock becomes limited, uncertain, or temporarily unavailable, we will instead change the booking link to offer the option to join our Priority Waiting List. Patients on the waiting list will then be contacted as soon as further vaccine availability is released.

No - the vaccines are not interchangeable. Once a course is started, all doses must be completed with the same vaccine.