Meningococcal B vaccine shows promise

Vaccines for meningococcal groups A, C, Y and W135 are already available but due to the unique nature of the meningococcal B bacteria a vaccine against it has been difficult to develop.
 
Chilean-led researchers have trialled the 4CMenB vaccine, also known as Bexsero, in infants, toddlers and adolescents and shown the vaccine to be safe and effective in preventing meningococcal B disease.
 
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Five meningococcal groups, A, B, C, Y and W135, typically cause disease in people. In New Zealand over the last 4 years groups B and C have been the cause of most cases of the disease.
 
The disease is serious and tends to progress rapidly causing blood infection (septicaemia) or infection of the layers over the brain (meningitis).