Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Hib Vaccination
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine prevents meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord), pneumonia (lung infection), epiglottitis (a severe throat infection), and other serious infections caused by a type of bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b. It is recommended for all children younger than 5 years old in the US, and it is usually given to infants starting at 2 months old. The Hib vaccine can be combined with other vaccines. Some brands of vaccine contain Hib along with other vaccines in a single shot. Hib vaccine can safely be combined with other vaccines to make these combination vaccines.
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
For the Media:
What You Should Know
- Brief
description
Symptoms, treatment, transmission, etc. - Questions and Answers
Immunization Action Coalition - Hib: Unprotected Story
Parents tell true story of how Hib disease sickened their child and impacted their family. - Pictures of Hib
Warning: Some of these photos are quite graphic. - Travelers
information
Information and updates on risks for travelers, precautions, prevention, etc. - Hib basics
Fact sheet offers overview of Hib disease and vaccine risks and benefits
- WHO's Global Position Papers
- WHO's Research and Surveillance
- Questions and Answers
World Health Organization
- Is your child protected against Hib disease?
CDC Web feature - Does my child need this vaccine? OR as an adult, do I need it?
- Side Effects of vaccine
Excerpt from Vaccine Information Statement
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Questions
and Answers
Immunization Action Coalition - School Vaccine Requirements
- Fact
Sheet on the Hib Vaccine
Immunization Action Coalition
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
- What if we stopped vaccinating for this disease?
- Who should not be vaccinated with Hib vaccine?
- Pregnancy guidelines
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Hib
- Technical information
Clinical Features, Etiologic Agent, Incidence, Complications, Transmission, Risk Groups, Surveillance, Trends, Challenges, etc. - Immunization of Healthcare Workers
- Ask the Experts about Hib
CDC experts answer your clinical questions (Immunization Action Coalition) - Hib Vaccine - Clinical Questions and Answers
- Proper storage and handling of vaccines UPDATED dec 2011
CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling guide includes shelf life, reconstitution instructions... - Package inserts
(ActHIB, Comvax, Hiberix, HibTITER, PedvaxHIB, Pentacel, TriHIBit, and more package inserts...) Posted Feb 2010
- Use of Vaccines to Prevent Meningitis in Persons with Cochlear Implants Updated
Apr 2010
Vaccine Recommendations on Hib
- ACIP recommendations
- Standing Orders
Immunization Action Coalition - Contraindications
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
References and Resources
- Related MMWR articles, links, and references
- Pink Book's chapter on Hib
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 12th Edition - Surveillance manual's chapter on Hib
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Data and Surveillance of Hib
World Health Organization's surveillance, assessment, & monitoring - ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
Provider Education
- Immunizing
Children Against Hib
International training module from Children's Vaccine Program at PATH - Podcast: Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Disease, Europe, 1996–2006
Released 4/5/2010, Run time: 5:16 Posted Apr 2010
Monitoring of Haemophilus influenzae disease in Europe from 1996 through 2006; effect of vaccination on disease prevalence
Materials for Patients
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Stories about people
who have suffered or died from Hib
Immunization Action Coalition
For the Media
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Content last reviewed on June 6, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases