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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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  • How can I help protect myself or my family against meningococcal disease?

    An effective way to help protect against invasive meningococcal disease is to get vaccinated.2-6*

    Different meningococcal vaccines help protect against different meningococcal groups. BEXSERO helps protect against invasive meningococcal group B disease. Separate vaccines are available to help protect against groups A, C, W and Y.4-7

    Talk with your healthcare professional about which vaccines may be appropriate.

    *Vaccination may not protect all recipients.5-7

  • Who should consider BEXSERO?

    BEXSERO may be considered for people at increased risk of meningococcal group B disease.4#

    In New Zealand, increased risk of meningococcal disease has been identified in infants and children under 5 years of age and adolescents aged 15–19 years.4#

    Communal or crowded living settings, such as university halls of residence, boarding school hostels and crowded households, have also been associated with increased risk.4

    Certain medical conditions and treatments that affect the immune system may also increase risk.4

    Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if BEXSERO is right for you or your child.

    #BEXSERO is indicated for vaccination of individuals from 2 months of age and older.6,7

  • Can BEXSERO be given with other vaccines?

    Bexsero can be given concomitantly with the following vaccine antigens (monovalent or as combination vaccines).6,7

    • Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, hepatitis B, inactivated poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b
    • Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate
    • Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella

  • Do I need more than one meningococcal vaccine?

    BEXSERO helps protect against invasive meningococcal group B disease only.6,7

    Separate vaccines are available to help protect against meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.4,5

    Talk to your healthcare professional about which vaccines may be appropriate.

  • What are the most common side effects?

    In babies and children (up to 10 years of age), very common side effects are:6,7

    • Tenderness at the injection site
    • Loss of appetite
    • Painful joints
    • Headache
    • Irritability
    • Fever* (38°C or higher)

    *The incidence of fever may be decreased by the use of paracetamol. Before you or your child receives BEXSERO, ask your doctor about the risks of fever and how to treat it.7 The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) recommends the use of paracetamol with every dose of BEXSERO administered to children under 2 years of age, regardless of the presence of fever.12

    In adolescents (from 11 years of age) and adults, very common side effects are:6,7

    • Pain at the injection site
    • Painful muscles and joints
    • Nausea
    • Headache.

    The full list is available on: https://medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/CMI/b/bexsero.pdf.

    Talk to your doctor or nurse about vaccination with BEXSERO.Talk with your healthcare professional about which vaccines may be appropriate.

  • When should BEXSERO not be used?

    BEXSERO should not be administered to anyone with a known hypersensitivity to the active substances or any component of the BEXSERO vaccine.6,7

    Talk to your doctor or nurse for additional information or visit: https://medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/CMI/b/bexsero.pdf.

  • How is BEXSERO administered and how often?

    BEXSERO will be injected into your upper arm or in children BEXSERO can be given into the thigh muscle.6,7

    The number of doses needed depends on the age of the person being vaccinated. Make sure that you or your child gets all of the required doses to be fully vaccinated against invasive meningococcal B disease.6,7

    Talk to your doctor or nurse for further information.