Meningitis B Vaccination
Meningitis B: Are you protected?
In response to recent UK outbreaks, the NHS is offering one-off vaccination to young people, but this is restricted to two specific groups: 17–18 year-olds born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, and first-year students under 25 (born on or after 21 July 2001) moving into residential university or college accommodation for the first time this autumn.
If you don’t fall into one of these groups, you are not alone — most students and young adults heading off this September aren’t covered, including:
- Those under the 17 years of age
- Second of third year students, or post graduate students of any age
- New students (freshers) commencing their studies for the first time who are over the age of 25
- Students who live at home
- Individuals under the age of 25 who have not yet decided if they will go to university
Meningitis B doesn’t check anyone’s eligibility criteria, and rates remain highest in the 15–24 age group, particularly among first-year students.
We offer private vaccination with Trumenba, to help protect you before term starts: see below for detailed information.
Which Meningitis B Vaccines Do You Offer?
We currently offer the Trumenba vaccine (made by Pfizer), which is fully licensed for protection against meningitis B, for individuals aged 10 and over.
- For rapid protection, we give two doses, four weeks apart, followed by a reinforcing dose 4 to 6 months later.
- Trumenba can alternatively be given as a 2-dose course, with two doses 6 months apart.
- Individual doses cost £160 per dose
- A discounted pre-paid three dose course is available for £360
- An appointment fee of £35 is payable on booking the initial appointment, in addition.
An alternative vaccine, Bexsero (made by GSK), has been used in infant vaccination campaigns in the UK. Bexsero is normally given as a 2-dose course, four weeks apart. The Fleet Street Clinic does not currently offer new courses of the Bexsero vaccine.
Who should be vaccinated against meningitis B?
The meningitis B vaccine is normally recommended for babies but can be given to anyone who needs protection.
In the UK, the Bexsero meningitis B vaccine is usually given to babies at 8 and 16 weeks, with a booster at 1 year. The UK vaccination programme began in 2015.
The Trumenba meningitis B vaccine for over-10s has been available since 2017. In view of the recent outbreaks, many young adults are currently seeking vaccination, especially if they have not previously been vaccinated or completed a course, and Trumenba is suitable for these age groups, offering good protection.
Meningitis vaccines are recommended for people with some long-term health conditions (such as splenectomy) who are at greater risk of serious health complications following a meningitis infection.
Vaccination against meningitis B appears to confer cross-protection against the gonococcal bacteria that cause gonorrhoea, that share some characteristics with the meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis. Meningitis B vaccination may therefore also be appropriate for sexually active adults.
How does the vaccine work?
Meningitis B vaccines contain major proteins from group B Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.
They work by stimulating the immune system to protect against future exposures to meningococcal bacteria. Bexsero and Trumenba are not live vaccines. They are both “recombinant” vaccines and are very safe.
What is meningitis B?
Meningitis B is a bacterial infection caused by the B strain of Neiseria meningitidis bacteria.
Like other types of meningococcal meningitis, meningitis B infection causes infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
It can also lead to blood poisoning (septicaemia).
Meningitis B can progress quickly and can kill within 24 hours.
Prior to the introduction of the vaccine, meningitis B killed more children under the age of 5 years old than any other infectious disease. Even with treatment, 20 percent of survivors can be left with long-term disabilities or brain damage.
How is meningitis B spread?
Meningitis B spreads from person-to-person via droplets, or by close personal contact.
Like other types of meningococcal meningitis, infection spreads via infectious droplets and can be transmitted from person to person by close or prolonged contact, including kissing, coughing, sneezing or spending time in close proximity to an infected individual.
What are the symptoms of meningitis B?
The symptoms of all strains of meningococcal disease include:
- High temperature
- Neck stiffness
- Cold hands and feet
- Nausea or vomiting/ diarrhoea
- Muscle and joint pain
- A spotty purple rash consisting of tiny blood spots in the skin – that does not blanch fade under pressure
Our Patients Speak for Us
Charles Lee
Fleet Street were excellent. Saw me at short notice and provided a good diagnosis of my condition. Their prescriptions were on the money because my infected ear began to clear up soon afterwards.
Mehrdad Kazemipour
Cannot say enough good words about Fleet St Clinic...most expert physicians, caring and communicative nurses, courteous and considerate staff...we came upon fleet street clinic by chance and they treated our injured daughter traveling from the u.s. with the highest quality care anywhere we have experienced -forever grateful for their unforgettable services.
Emily Lavis
Brilliant clinic, would 100% recommend. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the nurse's care couldn't have been better. They managed to fit me in for a same-day appointment and provide me with helpful advice for follow up. Thank you :)
David Butler
Very easy to set up the appointment, warm and professional welcome - very transparent medical advice on a vaccine. They were all fabulous!
Hareen De Silva
Fantastic front of house staff. Dr Levy was brilliant during my appointment. Nurse Chiara gave me my travel vaccinations and was extremely professional and knowledgeable.
Melanie Browder
Fantastic place, very very professional , Nurse Becky is very friendly , knows exactly what to do, listens , gives options, and makes the whole process easy… would highly recommend.
Paul Springer
Friendly, extremely good at the job, even done with a light touch and sense of humour.
Somerton Elliott
For several years I have relied on the lovely Fleet Street Clinic to cover my travel vaccination needs - for example to Cambodia, Vietnam and South Korea. They have real expertise in recommending what is necessary and protecting against risk. Having unfortunately had a bad NHS experience with vaccination earlier this year, I had a second and final shingles dose at the clinic. The last time, I wasn’t able to sleep on my left hand side for 10 days. At Fleet Street Clinic, the wonderful nurse ensured I had a perfect result.
Nay Chadbourne
Have had all my work travel vaccines at FSC and they have always been exemplary. Easy to book appointments, pleasant reception staff (both over email and phone) and appointment times to suit me. Never been kept waiting past my time and quick/easy vaccines done. Highly recommend.
Daniel Pomfyuk
The staff were incredibly helpful and polite. We received our travel jabs from them, and not only were the prices better than in Boots, but they also didn’t try to upsell us anything just for the sake of it. Instead, they gave us their honest opinion on what we should and shouldn’t get the jabs for. It was a small act of kindness, but it made the whole experience amazing.
FAQs
Trumenba is a vaccine against Meningitis B, manufactured by Pfizer. It has been licensed in the UK since 2017 for vaccination of those aged over 10.
Trumenba is not licensed for babies or children under ten, who have been the main target age group in the UK until now, so it is understandably less familiar than the more widely used vaccine Bexsero, but has become an important part of the response to the recent outbreak of meningitis B.
Studies show that both vaccines offer similar protection after two doses. Because of the additional, delayed reinforcing dose in a 3-dose course of Trumenba, Trumenba is believed to offer longer lasting protection.
With both vaccines, protection is believed to last around 5 years – possibly longer if a person is exposed to meningitis bacteria in the environment, which is why it is difficult to be precise about the duration.
We currently offer Trumenba as a rapid course of two doses, 4 weeks apart, followed by a further reinforcing dose 4 months later. (Alternatively, a course of 2 doses, 6 months apart, also provides protection.)
No, the same vaccine must be used to complete a course.
Yes, whilst you have already received a vaccination against Meningitis, the ACWY vaccination does not offer any protection against the B strain of meningitis. Both vaccinations should be given to ensure you are protected against all strains of meningitis that are currently vaccine preventable.
It typically takes up to two weeks after the second dose to build a good level of protection.
Yes, meningitis B disease can occur at any age.
Meningococcal bacteria can live harmlessly in the back of the nose and throat. Up to 10% of the general population carry this bacteria in the back of their throats, compared to 25% in teenagers and young people.
Meningitis B vaccine is highly effective, providing protection in the range of 85 to 100 percent. In the three years following its introduction in the UK, the overall number of cases of meningitis B in infants fell by 75%
Yes, Meningitis B vaccination is available privately.
Trumenba can be given to anyone aged 10 years old and above.
No, Trumenba is only licensed to use in children over 10 years of age. If your child is under 10 years old, they will need to receive a different brand of vaccination called Bexsero.
No, the vaccination is not live and cannot cause meningitis disease.
Both Bexsero and Trumenba are inactivated vaccines and have no more side effects than any other routine immunisations that are given. Mild side effects can include a headache, muscle and joint aches, fatigue and chills.
There are no known interactions between meningitis B vaccines and any other vaccinations. There is no need to delay vaccinating your child even if they have recently received any other vaccinations
No, the vaccination does not contain any gelatine or egg.
Yes, of course. We have long experience of vaccinating and looking after children. We regularly vaccinate and look patients who also utilise the services of the NHS.
We will record details of any vaccines we give so that your child’s records can be updated.
There are several distinct strains of meningococcal bacteria, each requiring different vaccines for protection.
Two important vaccines are available.
Meningitis B vaccine protects only against the B strain.
Meningitis ACWY vaccine provides protection agains the A, C, W-135, and Y strains, and is given separately.
