What is the national policy for Men B immunisation?
The Men B immunisation programme started on 1 September 2015 for babies aged 2 months, i.e. babies born on or after 1 July 2015. There was a limited catch-up programme for babies born on or after 1 May 2015. The routine schedule is for immunisation to be given at 2 and 4 months with the primaries, with a booster at 12 months.
Delivery of the Men B immunisation programme in our locality is in line with national policy.
Can we vaccinate children born before 1 May 2015 if parents request it?
No. The national stock of Bexsero® should only be used to vaccinate children who are eligible for NHS vaccination.
Can we vaccinate children born on or after 1 May 2015 who have not yet been vaccinated?
Yes. All children in the eligible cohort (i.e. born on or after 1 May 2015) remain eligible for Men B immunisation until the age of two years. When Bexsero® has not been given as part of a primary course, give two doses at least two months apart. Those children who have received one dose before their first birthday only require one more dose.
If parents ask to pay for Men B immunisation for their children, what should I tell them?
GP surgeries are unable to charge private vaccination fees to their own registered patients. Due to current supply constraints placed on the GSK, the sole supplier of the Men B vaccine Bexsero, we are unable to order any vaccines for private use at the moment. We are only permitted by NHS England to use the centrally-supplied stock for those patients that are in the eligible cohort e.g. born on or after 1st May 2015. The manufacturers expect this to be the case until July 2016. If a patient registered at another surgery wishes to be added to a waiting list until we are able to secure vaccines for private use, we can do that. The likely cost for the 2 doses will be £120.