MenB
Protects against meningococcal group B, the main cause of meningitis in babies.
Reviewed by TinyDose editorial team
Also known as: MenB · Bexsero
MenB protects against group B meningococcal bacteria, which cause most meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in infants. Group B could not be covered by the same approach as the ACWY groups, so it needed a different vaccine, introduced more recently. The UK and Australia give it in the first months of life. It is the most likely vaccine on an infant schedule to cause a fever, and paracetamol is often recommended alongside it as a matter of routine rather than as a sign anything is wrong.
What it protects against
When it's given
Ages follow India schedules. Your pediatrician may adjust timing for your child.
How it's given
Injection in the thigh in infants.
Side effects & safety
Fever is common in the first 24 hours, more so than with most infant vaccines, along with tenderness at the site and unsettled behaviour. Where MenB is routine, health services often advise giving paracetamol at the time of the dose.
Fever, fussiness and injection-site swelling are common for 1-2 days. This is expected and settles on its own.
When to call your doctor: if fever exceeds 40°C, lasts more than 2 days, or your child seems unusually unwell.
Alternatives & related vaccines
Common questions
Sources
- Meningococcal vaccines: WHO position paper · WHO, 2023.
Information on this page is compiled from authoritative public health sources and written in TinyDose's own voice. It is intended for general understanding only. Always follow your pediatrician's guidance.
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From the blog
All guides →This information is provided by TinyDose for general understanding only and is not medical advice. Vaccine names, ages and doses can vary by country, brand and individual circumstances. Always follow the guidance of your pediatrician or local health authority for your child’s vaccination schedule.
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