Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine

Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine may prevent meningococcal disease that may occur with infection due to the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.

Infection with Neisseria meningitidis can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses like meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord) and bloodstream infections.

Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine does not contain the bacteria.The vaccine works by triggering the body to create antibodies to the bacteria to provide a defense against potential infection.

There are different types of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine provides protection against serogroup B bacteria; therefore, it does not provide complete protection against other serogroups such as A, C, W, and Y.

Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine comes as a suspension (liquid) to be given intramuscularly (into a muscle) by a healthcare provider.

Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine is given as 2 or 3 doses given over a period of 6 months.

Tell your vaccine provider if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to this vaccine, any part of this vaccine, any other vaccine or any drug, food or substance. Tell your vaccine provider about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• are immunocompromised due to a medical condition or medication.
• tell your vaccine provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone vaccination to a future visit.

Side effects that have been reported with meningococcal serogroup B vaccine include:

• pain, redness, swelling at the site of injection
• headache
• tiredness
• nausea
• muscle pain

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit https://vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.

• Read the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) that your vaccine provider will give you or you can obtain it at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/index.html
• Ask your healthcare provider.
• Call your local or state health department.

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