With the recent MenB meningitis outbreak in the UK, you might be wondering whether the MenB vaccine also protects against group B Strep (GBS). It does not. Although both can cause meningitis, they are completely different bacteria and require different approaches to prevention.
Why GBS and MenB are often confused
Both conditions:
- include the letter B in their names
- can cause meningitis and sepsis
- can be life-threatening in babies
However, they are not related and are prevented in very different ways.
Group B Strep (GBS or Strep B)
- GBS is a common bacterium carried by up to a third of adults.
- Its scientific name is Streptococcus agalactiae
- It is the leading cause of meningitis and sepsis in babies under 3 months in the UK.
- Most GBS meningitis in babies occurs as late-onset infection (7 to 90 days).
- Most babies recover with specialist care, but up to half of survivors may have long-term disabilities.
- There is currently no vaccine against GBS. Researchers are working on one, but it is still several years away.
- In the UK, early-onset GBS infection prevention relies on identifying risk factors in pregnancy and offering intravenous antibiotics in labour to those at higher risk.
- Many other high-income countries routinely test pregnant women at 35–37 weeks.
- The MenB vaccine does not protect against GBS infection.
Meningitis B (MenB)
- MenB is caused by a completely different bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis group B, often called meningococcus.
- It is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis across all ages in the UK.
- Babies, young children, teenagers and young adults are most affected.
- Most babies recover after specialist care, but around one in ten survivors have major disabilities and around one in three have minor or moderate after-effects.
- A highly effective MenB vaccine has been part of the routine UK childhood immunisation schedule since 2015.
- The vaccine protects against most MenB strains circulating in the UK.
- MenB is vaccine-preventable; GBS currently is not
Meningitis in babies
Meningitis in babies is always a medical emergency and can become life-threatening very quickly.
Possible symptoms include:
- fever, cold hands and feet, or diarrhoea
- poor feeding or vomiting
- unusual crying, moaning or whimpering
- being very fretful or disliking being handled
- bulging fontanelle (soft spot)
- floppy body or unusual stiffness
- blank, staring or trance-like expression
- excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking
- changes in breathing
- pale or blotchy skin
- seizures
If you are worried about a baby, seek urgent medical help.
Why this matters during the current MenB outbreak
With more MenB cases being reported nationally, it is completely understandable that parents may be anxious.
Key points to remember:
- The MenB vaccine does not protect against GBS.
- GBS remains the leading cause of meningitis and sepsis in newborn babies in the UK.
- A GBS vaccine is in development but not yet available.
- Both conditions can be severe, but MenB is vaccine-preventable and GBS infection is not currently.
