Bexsero
The meningococcal B vaccine or the MenB vaccine is used to lower your risk of getting sick from a bacteria called group B Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis). It helps prevent meningococcal disease, including meningitis (brain inflammation) and bloodstream infections. This vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare provider and is a routine vaccine for people 10 years of age or older who are at high risk of infection.
What is The MenB vaccine?
What is The MenB vaccine used for?
- Prevention of group B meningococcal disease
How The MenB vaccine works
The MenB vaccine is an inactivated vaccine that protects you from meningococcal disease caused by group B N. meningitidis. The vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies that will attack the bacteria if it ever infects you.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Bexsero, Trumenba |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Vaccine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of The MenB vaccine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Bexsero
- Pain at injection site (at least 83%)
- Muscle pain (at least 48%)
- Redness at injection site (at least 45%)
- Fatigue (at least 35%)
- Headache (at least 33%)
- Hardening of skin (at least 28%)
- Nausea (at least 18%)
- Joint pain (at least 13%)
Trumenba
- Pain at injection site (at least 85%)
- Fatigue (at least 60%)
- Headache (at least 55%)
- Muscle pain (at least 35%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Fever
The MenB vaccine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
The following The MenB vaccine side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
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Pros and cons of The MenB vaccine
Pros
- Readily available and easy to find at pharmacies
- Trumenba syringes don't contain latex
- Most people only need to complete the series once.
Cons
- Must use the same brand for all doses
- Bexsero syringes contain latex
- Can only be given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare provider
Pharmacist tips for The MenB vaccine
- Possible side effects include feeling tired, headache, muscle or joint pain, and swelling, redness, or soreness at the injection site. If any of these occur, they usually last up to 3 to 5 days.
- Mark the dates on your calendar of when you need to go in for all your the MenB vaccine injections. This will help make sure you receive your doses on time and stay fully protected against meningococcal disease.
- Keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines, including the MenB vaccine, to make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule. It's important to note which brand of the MenB vaccine you received, because you'll need to stick with same brand for all your doses. If you don't know the brand or it's no longer available, you'll need to restart the series over.
- Wait until you're healthy to get the MenB vaccine. This will help make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever, you can still get the MenB vaccine. But if you feel moderately to severely sick, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether or not you can get this vaccine.
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on the MenB vaccine.
- If you experience a severe reaction to the MenB vaccine, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or call the reporting system at 1-800-822-7967.
Risks and warnings for The MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Latex allergy (for Bexsero only) | Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that you might have a severe allergic reaction to the MenB vaccine. Your risk is higher if you're allergic to latex, because the tip caps of the prefilled syringes of Bexsero contain natural rubber latex. Your provider might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure you can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Lower response to the MenB vaccine in people with weakened immune systems
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
The MenB vaccine might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of meningococcal disease, even after you've received the vaccine. If you have any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids, transplant medications), don't receive the MenB vaccine until you've talked with your provider first.
Fainting
- Risk factors: Fainting after vaccines in the past
Fainting can happen after receiving injectable vaccines, such as the MenB vaccine. Signs of fainting include changes in vision, burning sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Let your provider know if you've fainted after vaccines in the past so they can monitor you.
The MenB vaccine dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 syringe | $218.99 | $218.99 |
Typical dosage for The MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine is given as an injection (0.5 mL) into the shoulder muscle by a healthcare provider.
- Bexsero: The typical dose is 2 injections given at least 1 month apart.
- Trumenba: The typical dose is 2 injections given at least 6 months apart. If the second dose is given earlier than 6 months after the first dose, a third dose should be given at least 4 months after the second dose. Depending on your risk of exposure and getting meningococcal disease, you may be eligible for a 3-dose series of Trumenba, given as 1 injection at months 0, 1 to 2, and 6.
