Meningococcal Group B (MenB) is one of the leading cause of meningitis and septicaemia in the UK, and yet Bexsero, a vaccine that has been developed to prevent against the disease, is only available to those born on or after 1 July 2015 as part of the routine immunisation schedule.
Babies born between 1 May and 30 June 2015 are being offered the vaccine as part of a one off catch-up campaign.
Bexsero received its European licence in January of 2013, and has been praised for its ability to prevent children from dying or living with serious disabilities as a result of MenB.
For those who would like to get the vaccine privately, Bexsero is available on private prescription through your GP or by asking your pharmacist to order it for you.
If you are considering going down this route, here's what you need to know:
1. Firstly, talk to your GP and ask if you can get it done privately.
2. They will either give you a prescription to order it in from the chemist OR they may order it directly from the vaccine company themselves.
3. The number of injections varies by age of child. Booster is required at least once if not twice.
5. Arm will be sore after getting it.
4. It costs around £260 for a private injection and booster shot two months later.
According to the Meningitis Research Foundation, there is currently a shortage of Bexsero (MenB) vaccine for private patients across the UK due to high demand for the vaccine across Europe. This is not affecting the NHS vaccination programme for babies, who are the most vulnerable group to protect. Incidence of disease amongst the under 1s is around 22 per 100,000, reducing to 5 per 100,000 in the 1-4 age groups. The incidence of disease amongst older age groups is substantially less.
"We hope that GSK will be able to provide more stocks as soon as possible, and we expect this to be around the time of June 2016, so parents who want their children vaccinated and are able to pay for it can do so then."
If you do wish to register when stocks become available, National clinics such as the ones below may be able to help.
Children's Immunisation Centre |
Location |
(http://www.childrensimmunisation.com/) |
| Vaccine Doc | various | http://www.vaccinedoc.co.uk/ |
| Nomad Travel | various | 0134 155 5061 |
| City Doc | 80 clinics around the country | 0203 553 2588 |
