First meningitis B vaccine could be available in UK next year

The first vaccine for meningitis B is set to become available in the United Kingdom next year after being recommended by the European Medicines Agency.

The agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has granted marketing authorisation for Bexsero, a new vaccine from Novartis intended to immunise people aged 2 months or older against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B.

If accepted, the vaccine could become available in the UK next year, subject to approval from the UK Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation, which is currently assessing the vaccine for inclusion …