title: The introduction of the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine (Bexsero®) into the national infant immunisation programme--New challenges for public health.
abstract: The United Kingdom is the first country to introduce Bexsero(®) (GSK Biologicals), a multicomponent, protein-based vaccine against meningococcal group B (MenB), into the national infant immunisation programme. This vaccine is like no other licensed vaccine and poses a number of implementation and surveillance challenges in England. From 01 September 2015, UK infants were offered a reduced two dose primary immunisation schedule at 2 and 4 months followed by a booster at 12 months. Because of high rates of fever post-vaccination, parents were advised to give their infants three doses of prophylactic paracetamol, with the first dose given as soon as possible after the primary MenB vaccination dose. Since the vaccine only protects against 73-88% of MenB strains causing invasive disease in England, clinical isolates and PCR-positive samples will require extensive characterisation by the Meningococcal Reference Unit (MRU) at Public Health England (PHE) in order to monitor vaccine effectiveness and identify potential vaccine failures. PHE is also conducting detailed clinical and epidemiological surveillance to assess the impact of the MenB immunisation programme on the morbidity and mortality associated with invasive meningococcal disease in infants and young children.
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Immunisation Department, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: shamez.ladhani@phe.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Shamez N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Ladhani
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Immunisation Department, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Immunisation Department, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sydel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Immunisation Department, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Meningococcal Reference Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borrow
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Immunisation Department, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramsay
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009313:National Health Programs; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000276:immunology; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: C570015:4CMenB vaccine; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines
keywords: Infant immunisation; Meningococcal B vaccine; Paracetamol; Post-vaccination fever