Everything You Need To Know About Bexsero

If you finally got the famous vaccine, you are a lucky person. In this article we’ll tell you everything you should know about Bexsero, the vaccine against meningococcus b bacteria.

Everything you should know about Bexsero

What does the Bexsero vaccine consist of?

It is an immunization against meningococcus b bacteria, which can cause infections of the meninges or a generalized infection known as sepsis.

The vaccine protects against three of the four variants of meningococcus, with an efficacy of more than 90%, therefore it is given an overall protection of approximately 70%.

Pediatricians are the biggest supporters of the vaccine, as they claim that although it is uncommon to contract this disease, it is possible to avoid the complications of meningitis B.

What is meningococcus B?

Meningococcus is a bacterium that causes infrequent but very serious infections, such as meningitis and sepsis. These diseases can leave significant sequelae and even lead to death in approximately 1 in 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.

Meningococcal B infection can be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes its progress is so rapid that treatment is not effective, so 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 severe brain damage and is deadly in 50% of untreated cases.

The bacteria is transmitted from person to person through droplets in the respiratory secretions or throat. The spread of the disease is facilitated by close and prolonged contact with an infected person.

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

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

The most common symptoms of meningitis are as follows:

• Stiff neck
• high fever
• photosensitivity
• Confusion
• headache
• vomiting

the sepsis

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

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

In severe cases, one or more organs can fail. In the worst case, blood pressure drops and the heart weakens.

Patients with sepsis are treated in the hospital’s intensive care units.

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

Side effects of meningitis B or Bexsero vaccine

Reactions associated with vaccination are mild:

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

It is convenient to space this vaccine from the common vaccines included in the children’s calendar with at least 3 weeks between the vaccines and in case of fever, which is usually of short duration, administer paracetamol and, in the region of the vaccine, apply ice in the first 24 hours.

So don’t hesitate to vaccinate your little one.