New meningitis vaccines: should I also vaccinate him with Nimenrix or Menveo? 2026

The role that vaccines play in public health is, today, unquestionable, especially when the results are evaluated in the places where the prevention of communicable infectious diseases has the greatest impact. With vaccines we reduce incidence rates, sequelae, mortality and ultimately we manage to eradicate diseases.

The Spanish Pediatric Association has announced that in Spain it is now possible to buy a new vaccine for our children in all pharmacies that is responsible for protecting them from meningococcus, specifically against serogroups A, C, W and Y. It is Nimenrix or Menveo, depending on the laboratory that distributes it. Let's put it in context. In Spain, where we have a disease rate of 0.7 cases per 1000 people, there are several vaccines to deal with the different serogroups of meningococcus. On the one hand, the vaccine against almeningococcus C, which is included in the Spanish childhood vaccine schedule. And on the other hand, the vaccine against meningococcus B, which has been dispensed in pharmacies under the pediatrician's prescription, since September 2017. As Lucía my pediatrician explains in her blog, "70% of meningitis in Spain are caused by type B."

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What is meningococcal meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is an infection caused by a bacteria, meningococcus, which is characterized by inflammation of the membranes, called meninges, that cover the brain and spinal cord. The effects are meningitis or septicemia. Meningococcus can have up to 12 different “surnames” or serogroups. The most common are A, B, C, W, X and Y. Once the infection occurs, it can be treated with antibiotics, but because its evolution can be rapid, these medications may not be effective. Therefore, prevention through vaccination is the best measure to combat meningococcus.

What is this new vaccine?

This is a complementary vaccination to meningococcus C, included in the public childhood vaccine schedule, and B, known as Bexsero. Specifically, it covers a greater number of meningococcus serogroups than the vaccines available until now. The crux of the issue focuses on the W and Y seogroups, less aggressive and lower incidence, but in adolescent age the incidence increases.

Who is it recommended for?

According to the AEP Vaccine Advisory Committee, it is indicated for babies from six weeks of age who have diseases that make them more vulnerable to contracting meningitis and for all young people from the age of 14, especially those who travel a lot and who regularly go to crowded spaces. It is the group that should be vaccinated compulsorily because, even if it does not manifest itself, it is the main carrier of meningococcus. By getting vaccinated, the germ is eliminated and the feared infections are also avoided. Let us remember that it is transmitted through saliva.

Children, young people and adults who travel to areas where there are large epidemics of this disease, such as Africa, in its entirety, the United States, Colombia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Argentina or Chile. In each area, a different serogroup predominates but they have a high incidence, so it is advisable to inform yourself before traveling.

What if I have already vaccinated him with Bexsero?

Aside from the vaccines included in your community's calendar and those that are not, such as Rotateq® and Bexsero®, now if the pediatrician considers it appropriate, we can administer to our children a third vaccine not financed by the public system to protect them from meningococcus, but from other types.

But does it prevent the same things as Bexsero?

No, the new one protects against serogroups for which until now there was no protection: W-135 and Y. Serogroups A and C, in fact, are already included in other vaccines on the schedule stipulated until now.

Does it have side effects?

According to the AEP, the adverse reactions to this new vaccine are similar to others: redness, itching and pain in the area where the vaccine was administered, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, fever or general malaise.

How is the vaccine administered?

The recommended doses vary depending on the age of the child in the case of Nimenrix: if it is administered when the baby is under 11 months, three will have to be given, if the baby is over one year old, only one. It is injected into the thigh in small children and into the upper arm in older children and adults. In the case of Menveo, it should only be given once, regardless of the age of the baby, always from two years old and is administered into the upper arm.

The price of each dose is 54 euros in both cases.

What are the differences between the Nimenrix and Menveo vaccines?

Nimenrix (Pfizer) has been available since September this year, while Menveo (GSK) has just begun marketing. Nimenrix can be applied from 6 weeks of age and Menveo from 2 years.

Nimenrix can be co-administered with the other vaccines on the vaccination schedule, except the HPV vaccine, which has not been proven at the moment. Menveo can be co-administered, among others, with the Tdpa, HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines.

What do I do?

The existence of new vaccines available is always good news. These new vaccines cover new serogroups that, although they have little incidence in Spain, but for bacteria there are no borders and in the United Kingdom the rate of this disease is higher. From Ser Padres we recommend that you consult with your pediatrician.

In fact, this vaccine has been included in a routine protocol for children aged 13 to 14 years in the United Kingdom. If your child is going to travel in the coming months or to summer camp in the United States or the United Kingdom, consult your pediatrician.