Australia’s active vaccine safety system
New AusVaxSafety-led research using data from more than 10,000 infants has found that giving MenB vaccine alongside routine childhood NIP vaccines may reduce the overall likelihood of side effects compared with administering the vaccines at separate visits.
Published in The Medical Journal of Australia, the study analysed and compared reported adverse event data collected through AusVaxSafety (Australia's active vaccine safety surveillance system) from infants who received MenB and NIP vaccines during the same appointment with those who received them on separate occasions between 2022 and 2025.
Researchers found that administering vaccines at separate visits did not reduce the likelihood of adverse events. While reactions following individual vaccination visits were generally similar, infants who received MenB and routine vaccines on different days had more than one opportunity to experience side effects, which in some cases increased their overall likelihood of experiencing an adverse event.
At the 2-month NIP vaccination schedule point, infants who received MenB and routine vaccines at the same visit were less likely to experience an adverse event (29%) than those who received the vaccines separately (35%).
At the 4-month schedule point, adverse event rates were similar regardless of whether the vaccines were given together (45%) or separately (47%). A similar pattern was observed at the 6-month schedule point, with adverse event rates of 45% when Men B and scheduled vaccines were when given together and 44% when they were given separately.
At 12 months, rates of adverse events were slightly lower among infants who received the vaccines at the same visit (47%) compared with those who received the vaccines separately (52%).
Reassuringly, the study showed the rate of side effects that needed review by a healthcare professional was low, regardless of whether the vaccines were given together or at separate vaccination visits.
‘When discussing infant vaccination with parents and carers, one of the first questions they often ask is whether spreading vaccines out across multiple visits will reduce the chance of side effects,’ said Dr Lucy Deng, Paediatrician, AusVaxSafety Clinical Lead and senior author of the study.
‘Our findings suggest this is not the case and that there is no safety advantage to separating MenB from routine childhood vaccines.’
MenB disease is a rare but serious infection that can cause meningitis, bloodstream infection, permanent disability and death. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends all infants and children aged less than 2 years receive the MenB vaccine, which is given as a 2- or 3-dose course, depending on the age at which vaccination begins.
While MenB vaccination is not currently funded for all infants under the NIP, the findings come at a time when free MenB vaccination is more widely available through state- and territory-funded programs across Australia.
‘Our study provides reassuring real-world evidence that MenB can and should be safely given alongside routine childhood vaccines,’ said Dr Deng.
‘Giving vaccines together means fewer appointments for families, less time away from work and childcare and lower travel and healthcare costs, which we know can be barriers to vaccination. It also reduces the risk of children falling behind schedule if later appointments are delayed or missed.
‘Our study shows families can get these benefits without compromising safety. Immunisation providers can feel confident recommending MenB and routine childhood vaccines be given at the same visit,’ concluded Dr Deng.
Access the study
