Is the MenB (Meningococcal B) vaccine available for teenagers in Newfoundland, Canada?

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MenB Vaccine Availability for Teenagers in Newfoundland, Canada

Yes, meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines are available for teenagers in Newfoundland, Canada, though they are not part of the routine immunization schedule and would require shared clinical decision-making between healthcare providers and patients/parents. 1

MenB Vaccine Overview

  • Two MenB vaccines are licensed for use in individuals 10-25 years of age: Bexsero (MenB-4C) and Trumenba (MenB-FHbp) 1
  • Bexsero requires a 2-dose series administered 1 month apart 1
  • Trumenba can be given as either a 2-dose series (0 and 6 months) or a 3-dose series (0,2, and 6 months), with the 3-dose series recommended for those at increased risk 1
  • These vaccines specifically target meningococcal serogroup B, which now causes approximately 40% of all meningococcal disease cases in adolescents and young adults 1

Current Recommendations for MenB Vaccination

  • MenB vaccines are not routinely recommended for all adolescents in Canada 2

  • They are recommended for persons 10 years and older at increased risk of meningococcal disease, including: 1

    • Individuals with persistent complement component deficiencies
    • Persons with anatomic or functional asplenia, including sickle cell disease
    • Microbiologists who routinely work with N. meningitidis
    • Persons in outbreak settings

  • For adolescents without risk factors, MenB vaccination may be administered based on shared clinical decision-making between healthcare providers and patients/parents 1

  • If administered, the preferred age for MenB vaccination is 16-18 years 1

Considerations for Vaccination Decision

Healthcare providers should discuss the following factors when considering MenB vaccination: 1

  • The serious nature of meningococcal infections, with high rates of death and permanent sequelae
  • The relatively low number of serogroup B meningococcal disease cases
  • Increased risk among college students, especially freshmen living in residence halls
  • The protection provided by MenB vaccines against most strains of serogroup B N. meningitidis
  • The relatively short duration of protection (antibody waning within 1-2 years)
  • Evidence suggesting MenB vaccination provides individual protection but limited herd immunity 1

Important Clinical Considerations

  • MenB vaccines are different from MenACWY vaccines, which protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y 3
  • For complete protection against all major disease-causing meningococcal serogroups, both MenB and MenACWY vaccines would be needed 3
  • The vaccines are not interchangeable - if starting a series with one product, the same product must be used to complete the series 1
  • Cost-effectiveness analyses suggest that MenB vaccination is unlikely to meet widely accepted cost-effectiveness thresholds due to low disease incidence 4

Accessing MenB Vaccines in Newfoundland

  • While not part of the routine immunization schedule, MenB vaccines can be obtained through prescription from healthcare providers 2
  • Patients/parents would likely need to pay out-of-pocket unless they have private insurance coverage, as these vaccines are not publicly funded for routine use in most Canadian provinces 2, 5

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

3
Guideline

Meningococcal Vaccination Guidelines

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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