The Ministry and most autonomies have decided not to finance the vaccine because of the low incidence of the disease. Meningitis B records 300 infections per year, of which 10% are fatal and another 20% produces serious physical sequelae
Autonomous Communities as The Canary Islands and Castilla y León have already decided to finance it with public funds, while Andalusia intends to "incorporate it, if possible, for the 2020 or 2021 year," as announced by the Board of Health and Families of the Board, Jesús Aguirre. However, both other regions and the Ministry of Health have left this vaccine out of public funding, which for individuals can involve an expenditure of around 400 euros and is applied by three doses in the first twelve months of life of newborns .
As justified by the Ministry, the position against generalized vaccination against meningitis B has been adopted "taking into account the current epidemiological situation, together with the available information on the vaccine, which shows a short duration of protection after vaccination, absence of protection in the unvaccinated population, lack of effectiveness data and high reactogenicity when administered together with vaccines from the calendar in the infant stage ».
The reality about the effects of meningitis
La Meningitis B is a disease that in Spain causes 300 infections per year, of which approximately 10% are fatal and another 20% derive in serious physical sequels, which include the amputation of legs or arms, blindness or deafness. It is a very low incidence, but with very serious consequences, especially in babies. The cost of the vaccine exceeds the 400 euros for individuals carries the danger that meningitis B derive in a factor of social inequality by affecting the poorest areas. Therefore, the financing of this vaccine by some communities such as the Canarian community, has been a measure to ensure equity in access to vaccines.