The new MenB vaccine and advice on the use of Paracetamol

With the start of the new MenB immunisation programme from 1st September 2015 Public Health England have asked us to distibute the information below regarding to all pharmacies.

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Dear colleague
 
For information: the new MenB vaccine and advice on the use of Paracetamol
 
From the 1st September, the Men B vaccine will be added to the NHS Childhood Immunisation Programme to help protect children against meningococcal group B disease which can cause meningitis and septicaemia which are serious and potentially fatal illnesses.
 
Babies born after the 1st  July 2015 will be offered the MenB vaccine with their other routine vaccines at two months, four months and 12-13 months of age. 
 
In addition babies born between the 1st May 2015 and the 30th June 2015 will also be offered the MenB vaccine with their remaining primary immunisations and 12-13 month vaccines as part of a one off catch-up programme.
 
Fever of ≥38◦C (occasionally ≥40◦C) vaccine is common in infants when Men B vaccine is administered at the same time as the other routine primary immunisations.  As a result parents are being advised to administer paracetamol at the time, or shortly after vaccination with MenB, with two further doses at 4-6 hourly intervals to reduce the incidence and severity of fever. 
 
Parents are being advised to source paracetamol prior to attending the surgery for vaccination.  Parents who are unable to access paracetamol will be provided with a 5ml sachet by the GP surgery at the time of vaccination and advised to obtain  further supplies for the second and third doses.  Therefore it’s likely that there will be an increase in parents presenting to community pharmacies requesting paracetamol.
 
Information on MenB and paracetamol can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/menb-vaccine-and-paracetamol
 
Information for health care professionals can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningococcal-b-vaccine-information-for-healthcare-professionals
 
The Bipartite the letter announcing the programme can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/menb-vaccination-introduction-from-1-september-2015
 
General information about the programme can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/meningococcal-b-menb-vaccination-programme
 
I hope this information is helpful
 
Kind regards
 
Julia
 
Julia Waller
Screening and Immunisation Manager
NHS England North (Cumbria and North East)
The Old Exchange | Barnard Street | Darlington | County Durham | DL3 7DR
Direct: 0113 8249879 | Switchboard: 0113 8251600 | Mobile: 07876851849
Email: [email protected]
www.gov.uk/phe Follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/PHE_NorthEast
 
For screening & immunisation queries please email:
[email protected]  or call 011382 53017
 
Protecting and improving the nation’s health