Bexsero

Bexsero can be given to anyone aged 2 months or older, but it is only funded for the groups below. If you, or your tamariki, are not eligible to receive Bexsero for free, talk to your healthcare provider about whether extra protection is a good idea and what it might cost.

Bexsero is part of the childhood immunisation schedule for babies

Bexsero is part of the childhood immunisation schedule for babies and is given at age 3 months, 5 months and a booster at 12 months. It will protect your pēpi (baby) against meningococcal B.

You can have your baby immunised earlier – at 2 months, 4 months, and 12 months old. This will mean extra appointments, because other vaccines are not due at 2 and 4 months. Discuss this with your healthcare provider during your baby’s 6-week immunisations if you want to have them earlier. 

Tamariki under 5 years old

All tamariki under 5 years old, who have not had 3 doses as part of the childhood immunisation above, can catch up for free. 

The number of doses given will depend on their age.

• Tamariki over 2 years get 2 doses, 8 weeks apart. Booster doses are funded for high-risk groups.
• Tamariki younger than 2 years get 3 doses. The first two doses are given 8 weeks apart and a third booster dose is given 12 to 23 months after the second dose.
  
  

People aged 13 to 25 years in a close-living situation 

MenQuadfi® and Bexsero® vaccines are free for people 13 to 25 years of age during their first year of living in a boarding school hostel, university hall of residence, military barracks or prison, or 3 months before they move in.

Note: Close living situations do not include flatting or other group living situations. Read more about meningococcal vaccines. 

Tamariki and adults with high-risk medical conditions

Bexsero may also be available and free for children and adults who are at high risk of disease due to medical conditions, or people who’ve been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease. Ask your healthcare provider for more information.

Bexsero is given by injection usually into your or your child's arm or leg muscle. For older people, it is given in the upper arm. Bexsero can be given at the same visit as other vaccines in separate syringes and at separate injection sites.

The number of doses given will depend on their age.

• Adults and tamariki over 2 years get 2 doses, 8 weeks apart. Booster doses are funded for high-risk groups.
• Tamariki younger than 2 years get 3 doses. The first two doses are given 8 weeks apart and a third booster dose is given 12 to 23 months after the second dose.

Funded and unfunded Bexsero vaccines can be given by your nurse, doctor, healthcare provider, and some pharmacies.

Find a provider near you on the Healthpoint(external link) website by entering your address.

• If you're eligible for a free vaccination, there won't be a cost for Bexsero, but there may be an administration fee.
• If you're not eligible to get a free vaccination, you will need to pay.
• Pharmacists who are trained as vaccinators can administer the Bexsero vaccine to people aged 16 years and over.
  
• A small number of pharmacists who have done extended training can administer any vaccination on the National Immunisaton Schedule(external link), including those for babies. Always call your pharmacy ahead of time to find out if they offer this service, the cost and whether you need to make an appointment.

Vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule(external link) are free. Other vaccines are funded only for people at particular risk of disease. You can choose to pay for vaccines that you're not eligible to receive for free.

Like all medicines, Bexsero can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The chance of a severe reaction from Bexsero is very small, but the risks from not being vaccinated against meningococcal disease may be very serious.

If you're concerned about any symptoms you think might be related to your vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Read more about after your child is immunised(external link) and what to expect after your immunisation.(external link)

Fever  

Fever can occur in some infants as part of their normal response to Bexsero, usually especially around 6 hours after immunisation and settling over 24 to 48 hours. This is more likely to happen in children under 2 years; routine use of paracetamol is recommended in this age group. 

For children under 2 years of age, give paracetamol to reduce the risk of high fever: Three doses of paracetamol are recommended. The first dose should be given from 30 minutes before Bexsero, or the vaccinator can give this at the time the injection is given or just after. The second dose of paracetamol should be given 6 hours later, and the third dose, 6 hours after that.

• A fever over 38°C is more likely to occur in infants and children aged under 2 years after immunisation with Bexsero compared with other routinely used infant vaccines.
• When Bexsero is administered at the same time as other vaccines, a fever over 38°C is almost twice as likely as when other vaccines are given alone.

For children over 2 years of age: Routine use of paracetamol isn't recommended, but paracetamol may be given if your child is unwell or miserable with a fever.

Read more about the safe use of paracetamol in children and paracetamol use with Bexsero(external link).

Other ways to manage fever 

• Dress your child lightly, with a single layer of clothing. Make sure the room is not too hot or too cold. Give lots of breastfeeds or fluids.
• Tell your healthcare provider if the fever persists.
  
  

Other common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if these side effects bother you: 

• Redness, swelling and/or mild–moderate pain around the injection site: These are an expected immune response to Bexsero, especially on the day of vaccination. These should settle from around 24 hours after immunisation. Place a cold, wet cloth or ice pack where the injection was given (the injection site). Leave it on for a short time. Don't rub the injection site. 
• Irritability, unusual crying, feeling unwell, tired or weak, decreased appetite, muscle ache and/or joint pains. 
• Headache: Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
  
  

Phone 111 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) clinic if these occur

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, and rash, swollen lips or tongue, problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.