Everything You Need to Know About the Bexsero Vaccine

If you have already gotten the famous Bexsero vaccine, you are lucky. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about it, so keep reading.

The Bexsero vaccine: everything you need to know

What is the Bexsero vaccine?

Bexsero is an immunization against the bacteria meningococcal B, which causes meningitis or sepsis.

The vaccine protects against three of the four variants to meningococcal, with an efficacy of more than 90% and a general protection rate of around 70%.

Pediatricians are the strongest supporters of Bexsero because they claim that, although contracting the disease is relatively rare, complications from meningitis can be avoided thanks to the vaccine. It has no more significant adverse effects than any other vaccine.

What is meningococcal B?

Meningococcal is a bacterium that causes rare but very serious infections, such as meningitis and sepsis. These diseases have significant effects and can even lead to death in approximately 1 out of 10 cases.

Although this germ can infect people of any age, cases are more frequent in young children and adolescents, who are the most vulnerable.

A meningococcal B infection can be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes it progresses so quickly that treatment is not effective. Therefore, the best prevention is vaccination.

Meningitis B

Meningitis is a serious bacterial infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

It can cause significant brain damage and is fatal in 50% of untreated cases.

The bacteria are transmitted from person to person through droplets from the nose, throat or mouth. The spread of disease is facilitated by close and prolonged contact with an infected person.

The average incubation period is 4 days, but may range from 2 to 10 days. Even when it is diagnosed early and receives adequate treatment, 10% of patients die, usually in the first 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.

In addition, meningitis can cause brain damage, deafness or learning disabilities in 20% of survivors.

The most frequent symptoms of meningitis are the following:

• Stiff neck
• High fever
• Photosensitivity
• Confusion
• Headache
• Vomiting

Sepsis

Sepsis is a very serious disease that occurs when the body has an overwhelming immune response to a bacterial infection.

The chemicals released into the blood to fight the infection trigger widespread inflammation, which leads to the formation of blood clots and the leakage of blood vessels. This causes poor blood flow, which deprives the organs of nutrients and oxygen.

In the most serious cases, one or more organs may fail. In the worst case, low blood pressure causes the heart to weaken.

Patients with sepsis are treated in a hospital’s intensive care unit.

Doctors try to treat the infection, maintain vital organs and prevent a drop in blood pressure. In many cases, surgery is necessary to eliminate an infection.

Side effects of meningitis B or the Bexsero vaccine

Reactions associated with the Bexsero vaccine are mild:

• Fever
• Irritability
• Pain and redness at the injection site

It is convenient to give this vaccine separately from the usual vaccines included in the infant spectrum, with at least 3 weeks between the vaccines.

In case of fever, which usually does not last long, administer acetaminophen and apply ice to the injection site for the first 24 hours.

Don’t doubt your little one’s need for vaccination!