What is meningococcal group B vaccine?
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can infect the spinal cord and brain, causing meningitis that can be fatal or lead to permanent and disabling medical problems.
Meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria is usually passed through close contact with an infected person, especially through kissing, or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil.
Meningococcal group B vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by serogroup B meningococcal bacteria. This vaccine contains four common strains of group B meningococcal bacteria.
This vaccine helps your body develop immunity to meningitis, but will not treat an active infection you already have.
Meningococcal group B vaccine is for use in children and young adults who are 10 to 25 years old. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that the best time to get this vaccine is between the ages of 16 and 18 years old.
Like any vaccine, the meningococcal group B vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.