Frequently Asked Questions for Consumers: Meningococcal B Program
PDF 196 KB
The State Government Meningococcal B (MenB) Immunisation Program provides funded MenB (Bexsero®) vaccines to eligible children and young people who are residents of South Australia and have a Medicare card.
Fever (≥ 38.5°C) in young children aged less than 2 years is a common and expected adverse event following Bexsero administration. Paracetamol is recommended with every dose of Bexsero for those aged less than 2 years.
The 1st dose of paracetamol is recommended within 30-minutes prior to, or as soon as practicable, after vaccination. This is followed by two more doses of paracetamol given 6 hours apart, even if the child does not have a fever. Doses of paracetamol should be administered as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Refer to the Managing possible fever after meningococcal B vaccine administration (PDF 44KB).
From 1 July 2020 the Commonwealth Government included the meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero®) on to the National Immunisation Program for:
Information for parents regarding the Meningococcal B Immunisation Program is available in the Consumer – Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 196KB).
Always check the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to check if any doses of a meningococcal B vaccine have already been administered.
Vaccines must only be reconstituted with the diluent supplied. Never mix separate vaccines together.
To be eligible to receive funded Bexsero vaccine, immunisation service providers are required to demonstrate adequate vaccine storage, monitoring and cold chain management processes.
The SA Health Immunisation Section will assess this by providers completing an online survey. If you are an immunisation provider in South Australia and have not received an email providing the link to the survey, contact the Vaccine Distribution Centre on (08) 7425 7139.
Reporting an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) is an essential part of ensuring ongoing vaccine safety monitoring. To report any AEFI which are serious (for example hospitalisation is required) or unexpected or unresolved or prolonged:
The below resources have been developed to assist immunisation providers in the delivery of this program:
Further information is available in the Frequently Asked Questions for health professionals (PDF 361KB) - updated July 2020.
Individuals who were in Year 10, 11 and 12 in 2017 and 2018 may have already had the meningococcal B vaccination through the Meningococcal B Vaccine Herd Immunity Study — 'B Part of It'.
Check with the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) or with your 'B Part of it' Immunisation Provider to check immunisation history.
For more information visit 'B Part of it'.