Meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero now funded for children between 8 weeks and 12months (catch up to 59months until 31 August 2025); and 13to 25 year olds in specified close living situations (catch up lasts until 28 February 2024). For further information click here.
Approval for use
Bexsero is approved for use from eight weeks and over.
National Immunisation Schedule - Primary course and booster
Routine childhood schedule: 3 months, 5 months and a booster at 12 months.
Teens and young adults 13 to 25 years Two doses of BEXSERO are funded for people aged 13 to 25 years (inclusive) who are in their first year of specified closeliving situations, including boarding school hostels and tertiary education halls of residence. A catch-up programme with two doses is also funded for people who are already in close-living, from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2024
Paracetamol for children under 2 years
Prophylactic paracetemol is recommended for children under 2 years because of the risk of high fever, which is more likely when Bexsero is administered at the same time/visit as other vaccines.
Three doses of paracetamol (15mg/kg) are recommended with 6 hours between each dose, whether the child has a fever or not. The first dose administered 30 minutes prior to Bexsero
Note: If the first paracetamol dose has not been given before the child is vaccinated, administer the dose at the time of vaccination
The second paracetamol dose is given 6 hours after the first dose
The third dose is given a further 6 hours later.
Note: If the infant or child is sleeping when the second or third paracetamol dose is due, it is not necessary to wake the child, the dose can be given when the child wakes up as long as it is at least 6 hours since the previous dose was given.
Note: Ibuprofen may be given as an alternative to paracetamol.