Which babies should have the Men B vaccine?

The Men B vaccine is a routine childhood vaccination that is offered on the NHS to all babies born on or after May 1 2015.

The vaccine, which protects against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), is given as an injection into the left thigh at the same time as the other routine childhood vaccinations at:

• 8 weeks
• 16 weeks
• One year

The Men B vaccine and other vaccines

It's safe for your baby to have the Men B vaccine at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines, including the 5-in-1 vaccine and MMR vaccine. Where possible, each vaccine is given in different limbs.

Read about possible Men B vaccine side effects.

What happens if my baby misses their vaccination appointment?

If your baby missed the vaccination appointment, or if vaccination was delayed, then make a new appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

Babies who missed their first Men B vaccination at 8 weeks of age can start later. Those who received some of their Men B vaccinations, but are not fully up-to-date with the schedule, can catch up on any vaccinations they may have missed previously. However, only babies born on or after May 1 2015 will be eligible to receive Men B vaccination.

Tips for vaccination appointments.

Which babies should not have the Men B vaccine?

There are very few babies who cannot have the Men B vaccine.

The Men B vaccine should not be given to a baby who:

• has had an allergic or anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the Men B vaccine or any of the substances in it. Find out the ingredients of the Men B vaccine
• is ill with a fever; in this instance, put off the vaccination until they have recovered; babies who have a minor illness without a fever, such as a cold, can have the vaccination as normal

Read more about the Men B vaccine.