Babies who are about to be given the new meningitis vaccine are likely to suffer a fever that can last several days, Public Health England is warning parents.
Babies should be given paracetamol to bring down the fever, which is a sign that their bodies is responding to the new Bexsero vaccine, said Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the agency.
Infants will get the meningitis B jab from September 1, in the first national government-funded programme against the disease in the world. It will be given alongside other routine vaccinations at two months, four months and 12 to 13 months.
There will be a temporary catch-up programme for babies who are due their three and four-month vaccinations next month.
Dr Ramsay said: “Bexsero has a good safety record, but Public Health England is also making parents aware of an increased risk of fever when the vaccine is given alongside other immunisations, and the need to purchase infant liquid paracetamol for the two and four-month appointment visits.
“It’s important that parents use paracetamol following vaccination to reduce the risk of fever.
“The fever peaks around six hours after vaccination but is nearly always mild and gone within two days.
“The fever shows the baby’s body is responding to the vaccine, although the level of fever depends on the individual child and does not indicate how well the vaccine has worked – some infants may not develop a fever at all.
“We know that fever in young infants may cause some parents concern, but it’s important to be aware that it will be short-lived in nearly all cases.
“The vaccine will go on to help protect against meningitis B disease during a period when babies and young children are most at risk.”
Meningitis B can affect people of any age but is most common in babies and children under five, although another vaccine has been offered to 17 and 18-year-olds starting university.
Research suggests the new meningitis B vaccine will protect against about 90 per cent of the bacteria strains circulating in the UK.