Guidance

MenB vaccine and paracetamol

Information about the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine and paracetamol use.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 22 July 2015
• Last updated: 24 November 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination

HTML

Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination leaflet (print version)

Ref: UKHSA gateway number: 2018181

PDF, 159 KB, 2 pages

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Details

Information for healthcare professionals and parents on the increased risk of fever when the MenB vaccine is given alongside other immunisations at 2 and 4 months of age and the recommended use of prophylactic paracetamol.

Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination

The advice on the use of paracetamol following MenB vaccination differs to previous advice on the use of paracetamol for post-vaccination fever which may still appear on infant paracetamol product packaging. In order to avoid confusion, a patient information leaflet has been produced detailing advice on paracetamol dosage and timings and addressing frequently asked questions. Every parent or guardian should be given a copy at the 2 month immunisation appointment.

Paper copies of this leaflet in English are available free to order.

Translated versions of this leaflet are available free to download in the following languages:

Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional, Cantonese), Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yiddish and Yoruba.

MenB and paracetamol mock consultation

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been working closely with Oxford Vaccine Group who have produced a mock video consultation including a discussion between a practice nurse and patient about the use of paracetamol following MenB vaccination. This is a key training resource for frontline immunisers to ensure that parents receive the necessary information on the increased risk of fever and correct use of paracetamol following the 2 and 4 month appointment visits. Local NHS England and UKHSA colleagues are requested to help to cascade this training locally to frontline immunisers.

MenB and Paracetamol consultation

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Published 22 July 2015
Last updated 24 November 2022 + show all updates

1. 24 November 2022

   Added links to translations.

2. 12 October 2022

   Removed 'Protocol for the supply or administration of paracetamol oral suspension 120mg/5mL to infants under 12 months of age receiving primary doses of MenB vaccination' as it has expired.

3. 28 April 2020

   Added 'Protocol for the supply or administration of paracetamol oral suspension 120mg/5mL to infants under 12 months of age receiving primary doses of MenB vaccination'.

4. 9 December 2015

   Update to 'Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination' document with additional questions and answers.

5. 2 September 2015

   Added Oxford Vaccine Group mock video consultation on using paracetamol following MenB vaccination.

6. 14 August 2015

   Added MenB paracetamol protocol

7. 22 July 2015

   First published.