Bexsero vs Trumenba: Which Meningitis B Vaccine Is Right for You?
Two meningitis B vaccines are used in the UK, Bexsero and Trumenba. How they compare, who each suits, and why completing both doses matters more than the brand.
Two meningitis B vaccines are used in the UK, Bexsero and Trumenba. Here is how they compare, who each suits, and why the choice matters less than getting both doses. Available privately at Gaiger Pharmacy in Sutton from £120 a dose.
If you are arranging a meningitis B vaccine, you may have come across two names: Bexsero and Trumenba. Both protect against meningitis B, both are well established, and both are given as a two-dose course at Gaiger Pharmacy. The differences are mostly in the detail. This guide explains them so you can feel informed, but the most important message is simple: completing both doses matters far more than which brand you have. For the full picture of the vaccine and the 2026 NHS programme, see our main guide to the meningitis B vaccine in Sutton.
The short answer
For most people we lead with Bexsero. It is the most widely used meningitis B vaccine in the UK and the same one given to babies on the NHS childhood schedule, and it is licensed from two months of age. Trumenba is a well-established alternative, licensed from ten years of age. Our pharmacist will confirm which is right for you based on your age, your timeline and your circumstances. At Gaiger, both cost £120 a dose.
How the two vaccines work
Meningitis B bacteria carry proteins on their surface. Both Bexsero and Trumenba contain versions of these proteins, which train your immune system to recognise the bacteria and respond quickly if you are ever exposed. Neither vaccine contains live bacteria, so neither can give you meningitis. They take slightly different approaches to which proteins they include, which is part of why the licensing ages differ, but in practice both give good protection against most strains.
Which one suits whom
For children and younger teenagers, Bexsero is often the natural choice because it is licensed from two months of age and is the vaccine used on the baby programme. For teenagers and adults, both are options, and the decision often comes down to dosing intervals and what is in stock. If you are working towards a deadline such as the start of term, the timing of doses can tip the balance, and our pharmacist will map the dates to your diary at your first appointment.
The key point is that the choice between the two is a clinical detail rather than a barrier. Whichever you have, you need both doses to be properly protected. You can read more about the schedule in our full meningitis B guide.
Side effects: are they different?
The side-effect profiles are broadly similar. Most people have a sore arm, and some feel tired or have a mild temperature for a day or two, as the immune system responds. Serious reactions are rare with either vaccine. As with any injection, fainting can happen, particularly in teenagers, so we ask you to stay with us for a short while afterwards. Our pharmacist goes through your medical history before vaccinating, whichever vaccine you have.
Book your meningitis B vaccine →
Getting either vaccine at Gaiger in Sutton
At Gaiger Pharmacy we offer both Bexsero and Trumenba at £120 a dose, with a full two-dose course at £240, and no separate consultation fee. There is no GP referral and no waiting list. You book a time online or call us on 020 8643 6787, come in for your first dose, and we plan the second before you leave. If you are not sure which vaccine is right for you, that is exactly what our pharmacist is there to help with. For the full picture, including the 2026 NHS programme, see our meningitis B vaccine guide for Sutton.
Frequently asked questions
Is one vaccine more effective than the other?
Both Bexsero and Trumenba protect against most strains of meningitis B. For most people we recommend Bexsero, but the choice is a clinical detail. The important thing is completing both doses.
Can I mix the two, having one dose of each?
No. A course should be completed with the same vaccine. Our pharmacist will start you on the one that suits you and complete the course with it.
Do they cost the same at Gaiger?
Yes. Both are £120 a dose, with a full two-dose course at £240, and no separate consultation fee.
I had the baby Men B vaccine years ago. Which would I have now?
The baby programme uses Bexsero. If you are coming for protection as a teenager or adult, our pharmacist will advise on the right course for you now.
