Guidance

MenB vaccine and paracetamol

Information about the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine and paracetamol use.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 22 July 2015
• Last updated: 4 June 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 4 June 2026

     Added links to translations.

  2. 23 June 2025

     Updated to reflect the change in timing of MenB doses to 8 and 12 weeks of age in line with the changes to the routine childhood immunisation programme from 1 July 2025

  3. 24 November 2022

     Added links to translations.

  4. 12 October 2022

     Removed 'Protocol for the supply or administration of paracetamol oral suspension 120mg/5mL to infants under 12 months of age receiving primary doses of MenB vaccination' as it has expired.

  5. 28 April 2020

     Added 'Protocol for the supply or administration of paracetamol oral suspension 120mg/5mL to infants under 12 months of age receiving primary doses of MenB vaccination'.

  6. 9 December 2015

     Update to 'Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination' document with additional questions and answers.

  7. 2 September 2015

     Added Oxford Vaccine Group mock video consultation on using paracetamol following MenB vaccination.

  8. 14 August 2015

     Added MenB paracetamol protocol

  9. 22 July 2015

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination

HTML

Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination leaflet (print version)

PDF, 156 KB, 2 pages

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Details

Information for healthcare professionals and parents on the increased risk of fever when the MenB vaccine is given alongside other immunisations at 8 and 12 weeks of age and the recommended use of prophylactic paracetamol.

Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination

The advice on the use of paracetamol following MenB vaccination differs to previous advice on the use of paracetamol for post-vaccination fever which may still appear on infant paracetamol product packaging.

To avoid confusion, we have produced a patient information leaflet detailing advice on paracetamol dosage and timings and addressing frequently asked questions. Every parent or guardian should be given a copy at the 8 week immunisation appointment.

You can view, download, or order printed copies of this leaflet for free from Find Public Health Resources using the product code: 3341EN001.

This leaflet is also available in the following languages: 

Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yiddish, Yoruba

Find public health resources

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Alternatively, you can get in touch by phone or email.

Please have the product code with you when you contact us.

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