Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine
Babies are offered 3 doses, one at 8 weeks, one at 12 weeks, and one at 12 to 13 months.
The meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine helps protect against meningitis and sepsis (blood poisoning) caused by meningococcal bacteria B.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that progresses very rapidly. Meningitis can lead to deafness, blindness, epilepsy, learning difficulties and, in severe cases, death.
The best way to protect your baby against these serious diseases is to get them vaccinated.
Who can get the MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine is offered with other routine vaccinations to all babies in Scotland.
Your child will be invited to have 3 doses of the MenB vaccine. This helps to increase your child’s immunity and provide longer term protection. It’s important to bring your child to every appointment to help protect them from serious diseases.
Your baby will be offered a dose of the MenB vaccine when they are:
- 8 weeks old
- 12 weeks old
- 12 to 13 months old
How to get the MenB vaccine
Each NHS health board in Scotland runs their vaccine programme differently. This is so they can deliver vaccines in the way that best suits local communities.
Your local NHS immunisation team will send you a letter about your child’s vaccination appointment.
Side effects of the MenB vaccine
Like all medicines, the MenB vaccine can cause side effects. This is normal but not everyone gets them. It shows the vaccine is teaching the body’s immune system to protect itself from disease.
After the MenB vaccine, side effects may include:
- redness, swelling or tenderness where they had the injection
- being a bit irritable and not as hungry as usual
- sleepiness
- a fever
- sore joints
- a rash (more common in children aged 12 to 23 months)
- diarrhoea or vomiting
- a sore head
Fever can be expected after any immunisation, but is more common when the MenB vaccine is given with the other routine vaccines at 8 and 12 weeks.
It’s important that babies are given infant paracetamol when they receive both their first (8 week) and second (12 week) vaccinations. You should give your baby:
- the first dose of infant paracetamol just before or just after the routine immunisation
- the second dose of infant paracetamol 4-6 hours after the first dose
- the third dose of infant paracetamol another 4-6 hours after the second dose
Read more about managing the side effects of the MenB vaccine
About the MenB vaccine your child will be offered
The Bexsero Meningococcal Group B vaccine for injection in pre-filled syringe is routinely used in Scotland.
Information about the MenB vaccine in other languages and formats
Public Health Scotland has produced information leaflets about the MenB vaccine. These leaflets are available in multiple languages and formats.
Information about the MenB vaccine in other languages and formats
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