VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

1. Why get vaccinated?

Meningococcal B vaccine can help protect against 

meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B. A 

different meningococcal vaccine is available that can 

help protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis 

(infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) 

and infections of the blood. Even when it is treated, 

meningococcal disease kills 10 to 15 infected people 

out of 100. And of those who survive, about 10 to 

20 out of every 100 will suffer disabilities such as 

hearing loss, brain damage, kidney damage, loss 

of limbs, nervous system problems, or severe scars 

from skin grafts.

Meningococcal disease is rare and has declined in 

the United States since the 1990s. However, it is a 

severe disease with a significant risk of death or 

lasting disabilities in people who get it.

Anyone can get meningococcal disease. Certain 

people are at increased risk, including:

 Infants younger than one year old

 Adolescents and young adults 16 through 

23 years old

 People with certain medical conditions that affect 

the immune system

 Microbiologists who routinely work with isolates 

of N. meningitidis, the bacteria that cause 

meningococcal disease

 People at risk because of an outbreak in their 

community

2. Meningococcal B vaccine

For best protection, more than 1 dose of a 

meningococcal B vaccine is needed. There are 

two meningococcal B vaccines available. The 

same vaccine must be used for all doses.

Meningococcal B vaccines are recommended for 

people 10 years or older who are at increased risk for 

serogroup B meningococcal disease, including:

 People at risk because of a serogroup B 

meningococcal disease outbreak

 Anyone whose spleen is damaged or has been 

removed, including people with sickle cell disease

 Anyone with a rare immune system condition 

called “complement component deficiency”

 Anyone taking a type of drug called a “complement 

inhibitor,” such as eculizumab (also called 

“Soliris”®) or ravulizumab (also called “Ultomiris”®)

 Microbiologists who routinely work with isolates of 

N. meningitidis

These vaccines may also be given to anyone 

16 through 23 years old to provide short-term 

protection against most strains of serogroup B 

meningococcal disease, based on discussions 

between the patient and health care provider. The 

preferred age for vaccination is 16 through 18 years.

Meningococcal B Vaccine:

What You Need to Know
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

8/6/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

Meningococcal B Vaccine

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose 

of meningococcal B vaccine, or has any severe, 

life-threatening allergies

 Is pregnant or breastfeeding

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone meningococcal B vaccination until a 

future visit.

Meningococcal B vaccination should be postponed 

for pregnant people unless the person is at increased 

risk and, after consultation with their health care 

provider, the benefits of vaccination are considered 

to outweigh the potential risks.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

meningococcal B vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot is 

given, tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, 

fever, or nausea can happen after meningococcal B 

vaccination. Some of these reactions occur in more 

than half of the people who receive the vaccine.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the 

vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs 

of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the 

face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. The National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 

(VICP) is a federal program that was created to 

compensate people who may have been injured by 

certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or 

death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, 

which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package 

inserts and additional information at 

www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.