haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine Health Article

Generic name(s):

haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine

Brand name(s):

haemophilus b conjugate vaccine, Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit

What is the most important information I should know about haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine?

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Hib vaccine.

What is haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine?

Haemophilus influenzae is a serious disease caused by bacteria. It usually strikes children younger than 5 years old. Haemophilus influenzae is spread from person to person. Children and adults may have the bacteria and not know it. If the germs stay in a child's nose and throat, the child probably will not get sick. But sometimes the germs spread into the lungs or the bloodstream, and then Hib can cause serious problems. Hib vaccine exposes the individual to a small amount of the bacteria (or to a protein from the bacteria) and causes the body to develop immunity to the disease.

Before Hib vaccine, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings, which can lead to lasting brain damage and deafness. Hib disease can also cause pneumonia; severe swelling in the throat, making it hard to breathe; infections of the blood, joints, bone, and covering of the heart; and death.

Haemophilus influenzae vaccine (Hib) can help prevent the disease. Many more children would get the disease if vaccination did not occur.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine?

Anyone who had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of Hib should not get another dose. Children younger than 6 weeks of age should not get Hib vaccine.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Hib vaccine.

Talk to your doctor before receiving Hib vaccine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.

How is haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine administered?

Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine as an injection.

Children should get 4 doses of Hib vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months. Depending on what brand of Hib vaccine is used, your child might not need the dose at 6 months of age. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if this dose is needed.

Children over 5 years old usually do not need Hib vaccine. But some older children or adults with special health conditions should get it. These conditions include sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, removal of the spleen, bone marrow transplant, or cancer treatment with drugs. Ask your doctor or nurse for details.

Hib may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by giving the child an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if a dose of Hib vaccine is missed or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Hib vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after getting haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving Hib vaccine.