meningococcal group B vaccine (recombinant, adsorbed): clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm the person is within the licensed age range and record the product name and batch number.
• Postpone vaccination during acute severe febrile illness; a minor infection alone is not a reason to defer.
• Assess bleeding risk where thrombocytopenia or a coagulation disorder could contraindicate intramuscular injection.
• Immunocompromised people may have a diminished response; people with complement deficiencies, splenic dysfunction or terminal complement inhibition may remain at substantial risk.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to the active substances or any excipient.
• Do not use routes other than intramuscular administration.
• Do not give when a coagulation disorder contraindicates intramuscular injection unless expected benefit clearly outweighs risk.

Monitoring

• Observe for immediate hypersensitivity and syncope around administration.
• Continue clinical vigilance for meningococcal disease because vaccination does not protect every recipient.
• Report suspected adverse reactions through the Yellow Card Scheme.

Clinical pharmacology

The vaccine presents recombinant lipidated factor H binding protein variants from subfamilies A and B, adsorbed onto aluminium phosphate. Antibodies recognise surface fHbp and mediate complement-dependent bactericidal activity against susceptible meningococcal strains.

Formulation and product differences

• Supplied as a white suspension in a pre-filled syringe for intramuscular injection.
• Contains recombinant fHbp antigens from subfamilies A and B, aluminium phosphate adsorbent, sodium chloride, histidine, polysorbate 80 and water for injections.
• The syringe tip cap and plunger are not made with natural rubber latex.
• Trumenba and other MenB vaccines have different antigen compositions and should not be assumed to be interchangeable.