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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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  • How can I protect my child against meningococcal B?

    Vaccination is the most effective way to help prevent meningococcal B.2

    BEXSERO is a vaccine to help protect against meningococcal disease (meningitis) caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis group B.3,5

  • Who should get vaccinated with BEXSERO?

    BEXSERO is recommended for individuals who have an increased risk of meningococcal B.

    In NZ, the highest risk is in infants under 1 year of age. Children under 5, teens and young adults aged 15-29 years, also have an increased risk of meningococcal B.

    Individuals with a medical condition or those that are receiving treatment that affects the immune system, e.g. functional asplenia, post-splenectomy, or taking disease modifying immunosuppressive medication have an increased risk of infection with group B meningococcal bacteria.5,6

  • Can BEXSERO be given with other vaccines?

    BEXSERO can be given with other vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule as well as vaccines that help protect against meningococcal ACWY strains.3

    When BEXSERO is given at the same time as other vaccines, the vaccines must be given at a separate injection site.3

    Talk to your doctor or nurse for further information.

  • Do I need more than one type of vaccine to be fully protected against meningococcal disease?

    There are 5 different groups of meningococcal bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in NZ, including A, B, C, W and Y. Protection against meningococcal disease requires vaccination with 2 vaccines — one to help protect against meningococcal B and one to help protect against meningococcal ACWY.5

  • What are the side effects of BEXSERO?

    In babies and toddlers, the most common side effects are:3,14

    Tenderness at the injection site

    Loss of appetite

    Painful joints

    Headache

    Irritability

    Fever*

    *Fever can be expected after any vaccination, but is more common with BEXSERO, particularly when BEXSERO is administered at the same time as other vaccines. The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) recommend the use of paracetamol with every dose of BEXSERO administered to children <2 years of age, regardless of the presence of fever.5,13

    In adolescents and adults, the most common side effects are:3,14

    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.

  • When should BEXSERO not be used?

    BEXSERO should not be used if your child is allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substances or any of the other ingredients of BEXSERO.3

    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 child’s arm or leg muscle depending on age.14

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

    Talk to your doctor or nurse for further information.