Trumenba

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can affect the spinal cord and brain, leading to meningitis, which can be deadly or result in long-lasting and disabling health issues.

Meningococcal disease can be transmitted from person to person through tiny droplets of saliva that are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria are typically spread through close contact with an infected individual, especially through kissing or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil.

Trumenba is used to prevent infection caused by serogroup B meningococcal bacteria.

This vaccine helps your body build immunity to meningitis, but it will not treat an infection that you already have.

Trumenba is for use in children and young adults who are 10 to 25 years old.

Like any vaccine, Trumenba may not provide protection from disease in every person.

You should not receive the vaccine a second time if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

You should not get this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Trumenba.

This vaccine may need to be delayed or not given at all if you have:

• a serious illness with a fever or any type of infection; or
• a weak immune system due to a disease or certain medications (this vaccine may not work as well if you are immunosuppressed).

You can still get the vaccine if you have a mild cold.

Your doctor should decide if you need this vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Keep track of all side effects you experience. If you need a booster dose, you must inform the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

You should not receive a second shot if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Becoming infected with meningococcal disease and developing meningitis is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Any vaccine may cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is low.

You may feel faint after receiving this vaccine. Your doctor may want you to stay under observation for the first 15 minutes after the injection.

Common side effects of Trumenba may include:

• headache;
• feeling tired, chills;
• muscle or joint pain;
• nausea, diarrhea; or
• pain, redness, swelling, or a hard lump where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

This vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or medical setting.

There are two meningococcal B vaccines available and the same vaccine must be used for all doses.

Trumenba is usually given in a series of 2 or 3 shots. Booster shots are given 1, 2, or 6 months after the first shot.

Your booster schedule may be different. Follow the guidelines provided by your doctor or local health department.

Be sure to receive all recommended doses of this vaccine or you may not be fully protected against disease.

There are other types of meningococcal vaccine available. When you receive a booster dose, make sure you are receiving a vaccine for meningococcal serogroup B and not for serogroups A, C, W, or Y, unless otherwise directed by your doctor or vaccination provider.

Contact your vaccination provider if you miss a booster dose or if you fall behind schedule.

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to happen.

Follow your vaccination provider's instructions regarding any restrictions on food, drinks, or activities.

Before getting this vaccine, inform your doctor about all other vaccines you have had recently.

Other medications may impact Trumenba, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Let your doctor know about all other medicines you are taking.