The new meningococcal B vaccine has been knocked back for government funding and inclusion on the PBS, again.

This vaccine, manufactured in Australia as Bexsero, has been available privately since 2013 and provides protection against meningococcal disease. Meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningococcal infection can affect people of any age but infants under 2 years and adolescents are particularly at risk and the new vaccine is recommended for these groups. The vaccine is currently only available on private prescription, at $130 per dose, and it is hoped that Australia will soon follow in the footsteps of other Western countries and incorporate the vaccine into the National immunisation Programme. Unfortunately the PBAC recently rejected the latest submission for inclusion on the PBS, so it will be another six months, at least, until this is reviewed again.

In the meantime, what is the vaccine and should you be forking out to vaccinate your infant against MenB?

Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis and septicaemia, and can be fatal or have long-lasting consequences. Vaccination against infection with meningococcal C has been given routinely as part of the childhood immunisation schedule since 2003. But 85% of meningococcal disease is actually caused by a different strain - meningococcal B, and it is a vaccine against MenB that has only now become available. It is estimated that this vaccine will prevent 76% of meningococcal disease in Australia.

Who should have the vaccine?
Based on their higher disease risk, the meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) is recommended for:
o Infants and young children, particularly those aged <24 months;
o Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years;
o Children and adults with medical conditions that place them at a high risk of invasive meningococcal disease, such as functional or anatomical asplenia or complement component disorders.

For further information about the recommended schedule of doses click here, or see Table 1 on Pg 5 of this document, and for possible adverse effects click here or here. And if you're uncertain about childhood vaccinations generally, this blog post has some useful links.