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HIB Vaccine or Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent an invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. Hib is a type of bacteria that leads to invasive disease like pneumonia, epiglottitis, meningitis, cellulitis, arthritis, sepsis etc. The use of HIB vaccine has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Studies have shown that HiB vaccines have decreased early childhood meningitis significantly many countries. Hib vaccine is given intramuscularly. Hib vaccines can be given along with other vaccines such as OPV/DPT/HBV.

Brands of Hib Vaccine

• ActHib by Sanofi-Pasteur
• PedVaxHib by Merck
• Hiberix by GlaxoSmithKline

Who should get Hib vaccine?

All infants should receive doses of Hib vaccine. This should always be a part of their routine immunization. Usually Hib disease is rare in children more than five years of age and the disease tends to strike children between the ages of 2 months and 2 years. Hence, Hib vaccine is not routinely recommended for people age five years or older.

Hib vaccine is is widely used as a universal vaccine by many western countries. In India, it is almost a compulsory vaccine but for the cost. IAP recommends the vaccine in all children whereas it is not compulsory as per the EPI schedule of Govt of India.

Hib Vaccine Recommended ages

• At 2 months
• At 4 months
• At 6 months (not needed if the PedvaxHIB or ComVax brand of vaccine was given at 2 and 4 months)
• Between 12 and 15 months

Hib Vaccine Doses

Three or four doses.

• For a child below 6 months, 3 primary doses are need. The first dose can be given at 6 weeks along with OPV/DPT and subsequent doses at 4 weeks interval. But this should also be given along with subsequent OPV/DPT. One booster will be necessary between 15 and 18 months of age.
• For children between 6 months to 12 months, the recommended dose is 2 primary doses at 4-8 weeks interval followed by a booster at 15-18 months of age.
• For children between 12-15 months 1 primary dose is given followed by a booster at 15-18 months of age.

Who shouldn't get the Hib vaccine?

• Children below 6 weeks old.
• Any child who has had an allergic reaction to a previous dose.

Hib Vaccine Side Effects

Adverse signs after receiving the Hib conjugate vaccine are uncommon. The most common reactions are local reactions at the injection site, like redness, warmth, and swelling. Up to one out of 20 children may develop a fever above 101°F.

Benefits of Hib Vaccines

All the Hib vaccines licensed for use are good at producing immunity to Hib diseases. This vaccine protects your child against severe bacterial infection that mostly affects children below 5 years. The common disease that is seen in babies and children below 5 years due to Hib is epliglottis ( severe swelling in the throat that makes it hard to breathe). Another disease that is common is bacterial meningitis.

Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in U.S. children under 5. With the Hib vaccine, the number of deaths due to Hib have reduced by almost 98% in the US. The cases that still occur are mostly in children who have not gotten all their shots or are too young to have been immunized.

More than 95% of infants will be protected after two or three doses.

Disclaimer:The above information is for general understanding of the visitor. Please consult a registered medical practitioner before taking the aforesaid medicine.