Bexsero

Bexsero is a vaccine developed to protect against meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B. It is produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and was first approved for use in the European Union in January 2013.

Composition

Bexsero is a recombinant vaccine that contains multiple antigens to provide broad protection against different strains of Neisseria meningitidis group B. The vaccine includes the following components:

• Factor H binding protein (fHbp)
• Neisseria heparin binding antigen (NHBA)
• Neisseria adhesin A (NadA)
• Outer membrane vesicles (OMV) from the New Zealand strain

Indications

Bexsero is indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B. It is approved for use in individuals from 2 months of age and older. The vaccine is particularly recommended for:

• Infants and young children
• Adolescents and young adults
• Individuals with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of meningococcal disease

Administration

Bexsero is administered via intramuscular injection. The vaccination schedule varies depending on the age of the recipient:

• For infants aged 2 to 5 months: Three doses with an interval of at least 1 month between doses, followed by a booster dose in the second year of life.
• For infants aged 6 to 11 months: Two doses with an interval of at least 2 months between doses, followed by a booster dose in the second year of life.
• For children aged 12 to 23 months: Two doses with an interval of at least 2 months between doses.
• For individuals aged 2 years and older: Two doses with an interval of at least 1 month between doses.

Efficacy

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Bexsero is effective in generating an immune response against multiple strains of Neisseria meningitidis group B. The vaccine has been shown to be immunogenic in various age groups, including infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

Safety

The safety profile of Bexsero is consistent with other vaccines. Common side effects include:

• Pain at the injection site
• Fever
• Irritability
• Sleepiness
• Loss of appetite

Serious adverse events are rare but may include severe allergic reactions.

Related Pages

• Meningococcal vaccine
• Neisseria meningitidis
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Vaccine
• Immunization