Meningitis Vaccine

[atalanta]

I am currently paying for my two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter to have the meningitis vaccine privately. The price is shocking, but I feel I have no choice. She has had the first two of the three injections, but I worry lest the current shortage means she can't get the third. What is her risk is she if she can't get the third booster, or can't get it on time ?

[Sqad]

\\\What is her risk is she if she can't get the third booster, or can't get it on time ?\\\\

I am not a bacteriologist, but I think that if I had have been, then I could only guess the answer to your question. Even with 3 injections, one could not guarantee complete immunity due to the complex group of meningococcal organisms, but after 2 injections then I would be happy that MY child would have "satisfactory " immunity.
That is the best that I can answer and probably as good as anybody can answer.

[slaney]

From The Meningitis Research Foundation...
"Although the vaccine is licensed to be given to 2-5 month olds as 3 primary doses in infancy with 1 booster dose, the JCVI considered 2 primary doses to be sufficient based on evidence from vaccine trials "
The JCVI is the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, so I would be somewhat reassured by that. Delay will probably not do any great harm.

As a matter of interest Atlanta how much has it cost to have the vaccine privately?
I have just realised that youngest granddaughter misses the cut off by 9 days

[slaney]

I presume you are talking about the new 4CMenB vaccine Bexsero...

[atalanta]

I seem to remember each vaccination cost £70, and I had to pay for 2 vaccinations for her brother as well, but he is older. I think the whole bill was to be £350, but don't hold me to that. Still, a child's health is worth far more than that. Let alone a child's life.
PS These are all being done at a private hospital in Oxford, which is a long way from where I live, and even further from where the child lives, so you can add on considerable transport costs as well.

[slaney]

Thanks -we are not far from Oxford.

A statement from the manufacturer GSK
"We have unfortunately had to ask private clinics temporarily to not start new courses of vaccination.
Children who have already started their course of the vaccine privately should still be able to receive their follow up doses."