Meningitis B Vaccine-recommended for kids with Crohn's?

[CrohnsKidMom]

I've been hearing a lot about a new vaccine for the prevention of meningitis B (Bexsero). I believe it's been around for awhile in Australia, but is new in Canada. Does anyone know if this vaccine is safe and recommended for kids with IBD? I've done a little internet search, but I can't find out if it's a live vaccine (although I assume it's not). Are there any side effects? I've always done the normal vaccine schedule for my kids, but now that I have one dx'd with Crohn's I'm always wondering if I should get any additional vaccines, or boosters for the ones he already had. Any thoughts/advice? Thank you!

 

[Jmrogers4]

Not sure if this is the same vaccine but Jack had Meningococcal Conjugate a couple of years ago with no issues - it was not a live virus.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

I believe my kids had that one too as part of the regular vaccine routine. The vaccine for the "B" strain is new to Canada-and maybe US too? There just doesn't seem to be much info about it yet.

 

[DustyKat]

The new meningitis B vaccine, Bexsero®, is not a live vaccine and can be given with the other vaccines in the routine childhood schedule and also at the same time as hepatitis B and varicella vaccines.

http://theindependentgeneralpractice.co.uk/vaccine-meningitis-b-bexsero.html

Often the main issue in an immunocompromised person receiving a non live (non activated) vaccine is will it be effective and it is the case for Bexsero…

Tell your doctor if you or your child have or have had any medical conditions especially the following:

• an immune deficiency condition. Little is known about the effectiveness of BEXSERO when administered to individuals with weakened immunity due to the use of immunosuppressive medications, or HIV infection, or hereditary defects of the body's natural defence system. It is possible the effectiveness of BEXSERO could be reduced in such individuals.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcmed.nsf/pages/nvcbexva/$File/nvcbexva.pdf

As far as I can recall I have not seen any adverse reporting’s in the press here since its introduction in August last year. However it is not yet a part of the national vaccination program so I don’t know the numbers of people that may have received it.

Dusty.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Thanks so much, Dusty. This helps. I'll make an appt with the GP soon, and see if she recommends it.

 

[AZMOM]

Same line of discussion......different vaccine.....where is everyone on Gardasil?????

J.

 

[Tesscorm]

Just adding to Dusty's comment... when S had to see a travel/infectious disease specialist last year, she made the same comment as Dusty - it is not unusual for someone with a suppressed immune system to not develop antibodies as would normally be expected from a vaccine. She recommended having immune/antibody levels checked a few weeks/months later (ie whenever you would expect the antibodies to have developed) and see if a booster is required.

 

[DustyKat]

@ AZMOM

Hey J,

Kim recently started a thread about Gardisil and there are a number of respondenets...

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=60686

My own personal view is that of pro vaccination and in my kids cases I do not believe they have ever had an adverse effect on their health.

Each to their own though.

Dusty. xxx

 

[SupportiveMom]

My D had it last year. She missed it when they were giving it in school because she had just returned from the hospital and the public health nurse didn't want to risk giving it to her only a few days out of the hospital. We followed up last fall with her doc and she is now up do date. She didn't have any side effects from it. My other d (she doesn't have IBD) had it 2 years ago in school and no one in her class had problems, including her friend with UC.

I don't know the brand but the vaccine has been available in Ontario Canada for over 12 years now. It just hasnt been paid for by public health. I have a friend who paid $300 to get her kid vaccinated at age 4. No issues for her either. I wish you good luck.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Supportivemom, are you referring to the vaccine for the other strains of meningitis? My kids had that one as part of their normal vaccination schedule, but I think the one for Meningitis B is brand new here. Perhaps I've got my facts mixed up...

Thanks Tess, for the added tip. We head to Florida in a couple of days (get me out of this Canadian spring/winter/whatever this is!), and when we travel, I always get to thinking about the kids catching things. There has been a bit of an outbreak of the measles in BC-other end of the country, I know-but it still has me worried. A trip to the GP is in order about the Meningitis B shot when we get back, and I'll definitely make sure they check his immunity afterward... for everything!

 

[SupportiveMom]

I just googled it. I did mix it up between the C & the B. Sorry! Now I better go see what the difference is. I just assumed my kid was now covered....

 

[Tesscorm]

CrohnsKidMom - I'm sorry I don't recall right now but is your son already on an immunosuppressant? Only asking because I wish I had checked S's immune levels before starting on remicade (but neither his GP nor GI suggested it...), but when he was going away and went to the travel dr, it was he who checked all immune levels and we found out S does not have full immunity to mumps. If I had known before remicade, as far as I know, we could have given him a booster but, now on remicade, we can't. So, if you have the opportunity to check first, I would do so...

 

[DustyKat]

Bexsero is for meningococcal group B bacteria, so it is multi component. It is a new vaccine that has only recently been available, that is about half way through last year.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Tess, my son is on MTX injections. No biologics. But I am going to do as you suggested and ask about getting his immunity tested. Thanks Dusty and Supportivemom for your comments too. I always appreciate all your help!