Meningococcal Group B Vaccine

Meningococcal Group B Vaccine is a prescription medicine used as an immunization against Meningococcal Serogroup B to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitides serogroup B in adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease.

• Meningococcal Group B Vaccine is available under the following different brand names: Trumenba, Bexsero

Adult and pediatric dosage

IM suspension

• 0.5mL/syringe

Meningococcal Serogroup B Immunization

Adult and pediatric dosage

• Trumenba
  • Two-dose schedule: 0.5 mL IM at 0 and 6 months OR
  • Three-dose schedule: 0.5 mL IM at 0, 1–2, and 6 months; if the second dose is administered less than 6 months after the first dose, a third dose should be administered at least 4 months after the second dose
  • Choice of dosing schedule may depend on the patient’s risk of exposure and susceptibility to meningococcal serogroup B disease
• Bexsero
  • 0.5 mL IM as a 2-dose series administered at least 1 month apart
  • ACIP recommendations for at-risk adults
  • Immunize at-risk adults with primary series (use the same product for all doses in series)
  • Booster dose: Administer 1 year after primary series completed and repeat booster dose every 2-3 years if risk remains

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of the Meningococcal Group B Vaccine include:

• fever,
• chills,
• headache,
• tiredness,
• muscle or joint pain,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• drowsiness,
• loss of appetite, and
• pain, redness, swelling, or a hard lump at the injection site.

Serious side effects of the Meningococcal Group B Vaccine include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• fainting,
• dizziness,
• vision changes,
• ringing in the ears,
• numbness,
• tingling,
• muscle weakness, and
• severe dizziness.

Rare side effects of the Meningococcal Group B Vaccine include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Meningococcal Group B Vaccine has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Meningococcal Group B Vaccine has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Meningococcal Group B Vaccine has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Meningococcal Group B Vaccine has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of meningococcal B vaccine

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Meningococcal Group B Vaccine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Meningococcal Group B Vaccine?”

Cautions

• Epinephrine and other appropriate agents used to manage immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available should an acute anaphylactic reaction occur following administration
• Syncope reported; procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting
• The reduced immune response may occur in immunosuppressed individuals
• Persons with certain complement deficiencies and persons receiving treatment that inhibits terminal complement activation (eg, eculizumab) are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by N meningitidis serogroup B even if they develop antibodies following vaccination
• Sufficient data are not available on the safety and effectiveness of interchanging meningococcal Group B Vaccines to complete the vaccination series
• Bexsero: The tip caps of the prefilled syringes contain natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals (Trumenba's caps are not made with natural rubber latex)

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of the meningococcal B vaccine in pregnant women
• Animal studies have not revealed evidence of harm
• Lactation
  • Data are not sufficient to assess the effects on the breastfed infant or milk production/excretion