New meningitis jab causes mild fever in babies

PARENTS whose babies will be vaccinated against meningitis are being urged to buy paracetamol to stave off a fever linked to the jab.

Babies will be given the new meningitis B vaccine from September 1 and more than half are likely to suffer a fever that can last a few days. Experts said the fever shows the body is responding to the vaccine Bexsero.

It is being given to infants alongside other routine vaccinations at two months, four months and 12 to 13 months of age.

There will also be a temporary catch-up programme for babies who are due their three and four-month vaccinations in September.

Under the current immunisation programme, around a quarter of infants are expected to develop a mild fever in the 48 hours after receiving their jabs. However, when the meningitis B vaccination is added, up to 60 per cent of infants are expected to develop such fever.

Public Health England stressed that the rise in temperature was generally mild and harmless, unlike the effects of meningitis B.

The scheme is the world’s first national and publicly funded programme against the deadly infection.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, said giving paracetamol cuts the chance of getting a fever by more than half and will reduce pain and discomfort at the site of the injection.

She said: “Bexsero has a good safety record, but Public Health England is also making parents aware of an increased risk of fever when the vaccine is given alongside other immunisations, and the need to purchase infant liquid paracetamol for the two and four-month appointment visits.”

While meningitis B can affect people of any age, it is most common in babies and children under five.

From August, another meningitis vaccine — Men ACWY — has also been offered to 17 and 18-year-olds and students starting university this year.

Tests suggest that the new meningitis B vaccine will protect against around 90 per cent of the meningococcal group-B bacteria strains circulating in the UK.

Around one in 10 people who get the infection die while others are left with permanent disabilities.