MenB Facts

WHAT IS MENINGITIS B?

Meningitis B (MenB) is a bacterial infection that, while rare, can lead to significant disabilities or death. It attacks the brain and spinal cord, and can also cause an infection of the blood1-4
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Not all meningitis vaccines protect your teen against meningitis B

It's important for parents of adolescents and teens to be aware that there are two separate vaccines to help protect against different types of meningitis: one vaccine that helps protect against types A, C, W, and Y, and a separate one that helps protect against MenB.8

TRUMENBA is an FDA-approved vaccine that helps protect teens and young adults against MenB.7

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether your teen has received both types of meningitis vaccines, and whether they are protected against MenB.

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Know the causes and effects of MenB

MenB can be spread through typical teen sharing behaviors1,9-11
kissing behavior iconKissing
close quartered living behavior iconClose-quartered living

Sharing things, like drinks and utensils, and kissing can spread the bacteria that cause MenB. Activities that involve close contact, like communal living or participation in sports teams or other group activities, can also put adolescents and young adults at increased risk.1,9-11

Why risk it? You can help protect your child by vaccinating with TRUMENBA.7

Early symptoms may seem like the flu, and symptoms can progress quickly1-3

Some common symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and a rash that may start out looking like pinpricks and then worsen into purple spots. MenB can progress quickly. You or your teen may not realize that they have an infection that can lead to death or significant disabilities until it is too late.1-3

MenB has potentially deadly or debilitating consequences2,4,12

Approximately 20% of survivors may be affected by significant long-term or permanent consequences.12

MenB is rare, but has devastating consequences3,12

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From 2011 to 2019, all US college meningitis outbreaks were caused by MenB13

TRUMENBA was used in mass vaccination efforts against meningitis B outbreaks at Providence College and the University of Oregon in 2015.3,14

In the US, only 28.4% of 17 year olds have received at least one dose of a MenB vaccine.15

TRUMENBA helps protect against MenB infections that are common causes of meningitis outbreaks.7,16,17

Click here to explore CDC guidelines for vaccinating teenagers
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
  • Trumenba should not be given to anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction to any component of Trumenba
  • Some individuals with weakened immune systems may have a reduced immune response
  • Persons with certain complement deficiencies and persons receiving treatments such as Soliris® (eculizumab), are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B even with receipt of vaccination with Trumenba
  • Vaccination with Trumenba may not protect all vaccine recipients against N meningitidis group B infections
  • Fainting can occur in association with administration of injectable vaccines, including Trumenba
  • The most common adverse reactions in adolescents and young adults were pain at injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain
  • Data are not available on the safety and effectiveness of using Trumenba and other meningococcal group B vaccines interchangeably to complete the vaccination series
  • Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant
  • Ask your health care provider about the risks and benefits of Trumenba. Only a health care provider can decide if Trumenba is right for you or your child
INDICATION
  • Trumenba is a vaccine indicated for individuals 10 through 25 years of age for active immunization to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B

Patients should always ask their doctors for medical advice about adverse events.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967.

This site is intended only for U.S. residents. The products discussed in this site may have different product labeling in different countries. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.

REFERENCES
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html. Updated January 21, 2020. Accessed March 10, 2020.
  2. Thompson MJ, Ninis N, Perera R, et al. Clinical recognition of meningococcal disease in children and adolescents. Lancet. 2006;367(9508):397-403.
  3. Soeters HM, McNamara LA, Whaley M, et al. Serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak and carriage evaluation at a college—Rhode Island, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(22):606-607.
  4. Borg J, Christie D, Coen PG, et al. Outcomes of meningococcal disease in adolescence; prospective, matched-cohort study. Pediatrics. 2009;123(3):e502-e509.
  5. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Addressing the challenges of serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreaks on campuses: a report by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. https://www.nfid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/meningococcal-b-report.pdf. Published May 2014. Accessed March 11, 2020.
  6. MacNeil JR, Rubin L, Folaranmi T. Use of serogroup B meningococcal vaccines in adolescents and young adults: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(41):1171-1176.
  7. TRUMENBA [package insert]. Philadelphia, PA: Pfizer Inc.; 2021.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger: United States, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf. Updated January 29, 2020. Accessed March 10, 2020.
  9. Tully J, Viner RM, Coen PG, et al. Risk and protective factors for meningococcal disease in adolescents: matched cohort study. BMJ. 2006;332(7539):445-450.
  10. Dwilow R, Fanella S. Invasive meningococcal disease in the 21st century–an update for the clinician. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2015;15(3):1-9.
  11. Ewald AJ, McKeag DB. Meningitis in the athlete. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2008;7(1):22-27.
  12. Bettinger JA, Scheifele DW, Le Saux N, et al. The disease burden of invasive meningococcal serogroup B disease in Canada. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013;32(1):e20-e25.
  13. Marshall GS, Dempsey AF, Srivastava A, Isturiz RE. US college students are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2020;9(2):244-247.
  14. McNamara LA, Thomas JD, MacNeil J, et al. Meningococcal carriage following a vaccination campaign with MenB-4C and MenB-FHbp in response to a university serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak—Oregon, 2015-2016. J Infect Dis. 2017;216(9);1130-1140.
  15. Pingali C, Yankey D, Elam-Evans LD, et al. National, regional, state, and selected local area vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13-17 years—United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(35):1183-1190.
  16. Biwas HH, Han GS, Wendorf K, et al. Notes from the field: outbreak of serogroup B meningococcal disease at a university—California, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65(20):520-521.
  17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Enhanced Meningococcal Disease Surveillance Report, 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/downloads/NCIRD-EMS-Report-2017.pdf. Accessed March 10, 2020.
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