UK recommends Novartis’ Bexsero vaccine for inclusion in National Immunisation Programme

According to the recommendation, Bexsero should be routinely used in infants from two months of age to help protect against meningococcal serogroup B (meningitis B). The implementation will be carried out by the Department of Health through the National Health Service (NHS), following the public procurement process.

Novartis Vaccines division head Andrin Oswald noted today’s decision by the UK authorities brings tremendous relief to many parents and families who have lost loved ones to meningitis.

"At Novartis, it took us over 20 years of hard work to get to this point. Protecting infants who are the most vulnerable will be a great achievement. It is also a strong motivator for us to continue our efforts to protect all children and adolescents against this devastating disease, in the UK and elsewhere in the world," Oswald added.

Bexsero is the only licensed broad coverage vaccine approved in Europe, Canada and Australia for all vulnerable age groups from two months to help protect against meningitis B. It was also approved for use in the US under a treatment Investigational New Drug (IND) designation as part of vaccination programs at Princeton University and the University of California Santa Barbara.