A few days ago we read the news of a teenager from Zaragoza who had gotten sick with meningitis B, and I inevitably thought about the vaccine that could prevent this disease and that, nevertheless, continues to drop by dropper at the pharmacies.
After several months of waiting I have finally been able to put it on my three children and today I want to share with you how has our experience been and what are my tips About this vaccine
The shortage of pharmacies
The Bexsero vaccine, which protects against meningitis B, is not one more vaccine since it is not on the official vaccination schedule. That is, parents who choose to vaccinate our children must buy it at the pharmacy and face an average cost of 106 euros per dose.
But for now it is what it is, despite the fact that pediatricians have been recommending its inclusion in the official vaccine schedule for some time, following the example of other countries such as the United Kingdom or some regions of Italy and Germany.
La Bexsero was released in October 2015 (previously only children with chronic or immunocompromised diseases were administered in hospitals), and initially generated a stir.
We were many parents who wanted to buy as soon as possible the vaccine that would protect our children against meningitis B, but that was when we encountered the first problems of shortage: pharmacies with long waiting lists and vaccines that were coming so slowly that it made you despair.
Our pediatrician insisted again and again that there was no reason to worry or be alarmed if the vaccine was slow to arrive, as the incidence of the disease is very low. But having, finally, the possibility of protecting our children against this terrible disease, how can we not despair in the face of such a shortage?
When the phone rang telling me that the first dose of my children was already available, I couldn't believe it. I was glad that our turn had finally come, but I confess that at the same time fear and doubts invaded me.
Although I had read everything that had fallen on my hands about the Bexsero, its possible side effects and its effectiveness, it is a vaccine that has been taking relatively little time and that generated some uncertainty.
The vaccine reaction
At the time of administering the first dose, my children were 24 months, three and a half and eight years old, so, according to the AEP guidelines they were entitled to two doses at each with an interval of not less than two months.
The first dose was the most reaction and pain caused them. My little son had a fever that same night, and the other two complained for three days of severe arm pain that prevented them from even moving it. On the other hand, my baby was punctured in the leg and at no time showed signs of pain or discomfort.
The second dose did not cause any fever and the children did not accuse as much pain in the limb as the first time, but instead the local reaction was greater and the puncture area was reddened and swollen for several days.
My advice
Most pharmacies ask you to start how many doses are you going to need and commit to having them in time, so as not to leave any children who have already started vaccination without their corresponding doses. But it is worth asking before ordering them, and in case of doubts from the pharmacy, assess the possibility of ordering them elsewhere.
This vaccine can be given at any age. but infants under 12 months are the most at risk population. Therefore, if you have more than one child and you want to vaccinate them all but the vaccines will not arrive at the same time, ask your pediatrician how you should proceed, because he may tell you to give preference to one child over another according to his age.
If they are going to prick your son on the arm, my advice is to do it on the left if he is right-handed and vice versa, because most likely, the little arm of the prick is still and sore for a few days. It seems a truism, but we did not fall into this detail when they were given the first dose and my children took very badly not being able to use the right arm to eat, write or do other daily tasks.
We did well with local ice application for a few minutes, three or four times a day on the same day as the puncture. It helps minimize pain and prevent the area from becoming very inflamed.
If you have small children and you can afford it, my recommendation is do not go to school or daycare the same day as the vaccine. At least my little children were slightly more off that day, the girl complained of a lot of pain and just wanted to pamper and arms.
And in regards to the vaccine financing, I advise you that at the moment you decide to order it you will start saving. Dropping 106 euros multiplied by the number of children you have can mean a lot of money for an average economy. But if during all the time that we are in waiting list we are saving, the final disbursement will not be so accused. Another option is to take advantage of celebrations (birthdays, christenings / communions, Christmas ...) to ask family and friends to give you vaccinations.
You, have you already given this vaccine to your children? If so, how was it? If on the contrary you are still on the waiting list, cheer up! And I hope you can get it soon.
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In Babies and More From today the Bexsero vaccine, against meningitis B, The 'Bexsero' meningitis B vaccine returns to pharmacies: everything you need to know, The AEP asks that the meningitis B vaccine be included in the Vaccine schedule, The meningitis B (Bexsero) vaccine can be purchased at pharmacies on October 1, Bexsero: Should we vaccinate more than 380,000 children to avoid a case of meningitis B?
