UK to bring in vaccination program against meningitis B with GSK's Bexsero

The UK is to bring in vaccination programs to protect babies and young people against the meningococcal bacterium, serogroup B.

Bexsero, the meningococcal serogroup B vaccine from UK pharma major GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK), will be given to babies from two months of age with a second dose at four months and a booster at 12 months. This will make it the first national meningitis B program in the world.

The implementation of this scheme has been delayed due to cost disputes, and although pricing details have not been disclosed, GSK said that the agreement gave “fair value for the NHS and allows a reasonable return” for the company. The agreement between the government and GSK was reached in March following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) guidance recommending the addition of Bexsero to the immunization program.