Bailey Health Center has Bexsero available for students.
Yes, you still need to get this new shot. The MenB shots are NEW vaccines (called Trumenba) approved in late 2014-early 2015. They cover meningococcal serogroup B, while the previous meningitis shots (called Menactra, Menveo or Menomune) cover serogroup A, C, W & Y. Those diseases are also very serious, so please be sure your last booster for those shots was at age 16 or later. You will not have protection against the MenB disease unless you get the new MenB shots.
The target population considered to be at most risk are younger UCSB students, especially new students coming to the campus for the first time. Our previous cases occurred in undergraduates living in shared residences, and members of sports teams and Greek organizations. Older persons have much less risk, although cases do rarely occur in any age group.
It is licensed for use in the U.S.A. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for persons aged 10-25 years of age, except in an outbreak setting where the CDC recently recommended the vaccine be given with no upper age limit.
Registered students can obtain the vaccine from the Bailey Health Center. The FDA has approved both vaccines for those up to age 26. For students over 26 it is considered “off-label” but can be administered after consultation with your medical provider.
Community members, staff and faculty are encouraged to consult their private clinicians to determine if they should get the vaccine. Persons with conditions that compromise their immunity, especially persons who have complement component deficiencies (e.g., C5-C9, properdin, factor H, factor D, or taking Soliris®) or absence of their spleen.
We do not recommend any delays in obtaining the new MenB vaccines, because the highest risk of disease occurs when new students are exposed to the meningococcal bacteria for the first time when they arrive in a new environment. The majority of adult cases have occurred at age 18 years.
Unfortunately, the meningococcal bacteria may still be present in students who have had the vaccine, so they can pass it to others even though they are protected from the disease. The best way for students to protect themselves is to receive the full series of the new MenB vaccines
No, it is made of recombinant protein components. It is believed to be safe for use in immunocompromised persons.
No mercury is contained in the vaccine.
For Bexsero, a series of 2 shots given one months apart are needed to provide maximum immunity.
Although some protection is achieved after the first shot, studies have shown this response soon wanes, and it is very important to complete the series in order to develop full and longer lasting protection against disease.
NO, the vaccine still works if the intervals between the shots have to be extended longer than the recommended follow-up doses. However, the fastest protection will be achieved by adhering to the schedule.
Most commonly reported is sore arm at the site of the injection. Extensive testing in clinical trials was presented to FDA who approved the widespread use of the vaccines.
After the event the vaccine will be available at the Bailey Health Center at a cost of $215 per injection. A student’s account can be billed directly and receipt provided for reimbursement with your insurance
For more information see the links on the Student Health Center’s MenB page.