From the Guidelines
The maximum interval for administering the second dose of Meningococcal (Meningitis) B vaccine is 6 months for Trumenba in the 2-dose schedule, while for Bexsero, it is at least 1 month apart. For individuals receiving the Trumenba vaccine, the recommended schedule is 3 doses at 0,1-2, and 6 months, or a 2-dose schedule with the second dose given 6 months after the first 1. On the other hand, the Bexsero vaccine is administered in a 2-dose series, with the second dose given at least 1 month after the first dose 1. It's essential to follow the recommended schedule to ensure optimal protection against meningococcal disease, which can cause severe complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, and death. If the recommended timeframes are exceeded, there is no need to restart the series; instead, the next dose should be administered as soon as possible 1. Delaying vaccination beyond the recommended interval does not reduce the vaccine's effectiveness but leaves the individual inadequately protected against meningitis B for a longer period. The most recent guidelines from 2020 provide the best evidence for the recommended vaccination schedules and intervals for meningococcal vaccines, including MenB-FHbp (Trumenba) and MenB-4C (Bexsero) 1. While earlier studies, such as the 2017 recommendations, also discussed meningococcal vaccination, the 2020 guidelines supersede these and should be followed for the most up-to-date advice 1. Key points to consider include:
- The importance of completing the vaccination series to achieve the best protection against meningococcal disease
- The specific schedules for Trumenba and Bexsero, including the intervals between doses
- The potential consequences of delaying vaccination, including increased risk of meningococcal disease
- The need to follow the most recent guidelines for vaccination schedules and intervals.
From the FDA Drug Label
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intramuscular use only. 2.1 Dose and Schedule Two-dose schedule: Administer a dose (0. 5 mL) at 0 and 6 months. If the second dose is administered earlier than 6 months after the first dose, a third dose should be administered at least 4 months after the second dose.
The maximum interval for administering the second dose of Meningococcal (Meningitis) B vaccine is not explicitly stated as a maximum, but the recommended interval is 6 months. If the second dose is given earlier than 6 months, a third dose is required. Therefore, the maximum interval that is recommended without requiring an additional dose is 6 months 2.
From the Research
Meningococcal (Meningitis) B Vaccine Administration
- The maximum interval for administering the second dose of Meningococcal (Meningitis) B vaccine is 6 months, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 3.
- This recommendation applies to healthy adolescents and young adults aged 16-23 years, based on shared clinical decision-making 3.
- For individuals at increased risk, a 3-dose series with doses administered at 0,1-2, and 6 months is recommended 3.
- The updated ACIP recommendations for MenB-4C align with existing ACIP recommendations for the other FDA-licensed meningococcal serogroup B vaccine, MenB-FHbp (Trumenba) 3, 4.
- Clinical evidence demonstrates strong and broadly protective immunogenicity in adolescents after primary vaccination, immune persistence up to 48 months post-primary vaccination, and immune memory evidenced by robust response to a single booster dose 4.