Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine

Examples

Generic Name
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine

How It Works

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine is given to protect people from becoming infected with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. The vaccine contains small amounts of weakened bacteria and is given as a shot (injection). This helps your body make chemicals called antibodies that can then recognize and destroy Hib bacteria if you are exposed to it later.

Why It Is Used

Hib disease can cause meningitis, pneumonia, skin and bone infections, and other serious illnesses in young children. It usually causes problems for children younger than age 5. (It does not cause the flu.)

Hib vaccine is given to protect people from becoming infected with Hib bacteria.

Your child can get Hib disease by being around other children or adults who have the infection and do not know it. The germs spread from person to person. If the germs stay in your child's nose and throat, your child will probably not get sick. But sometimes the germs cause serious problems when they spread into your child's lungs or blood.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that all children should be immunized against Hib at 2, 4 and 6 months with a fourth dose at 18 months.¹

You can keep track of when your child received vaccines using the national childhood immunization record (What is a PDF document?) or the British Columbia childhood immunization record (What is a PDF document?).

Children older than age 5 usually do not need Hib vaccine. Some older children and adults may need the shot if they also have other health problems, such as sickle cell disease, HIV, or AIDS. The Hib shot may also be needed if your child has had surgery to remove his or her spleen, a stem cell transplant, or is being treated for cancer.

How Well It Works

In the early 1990s, Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in Canada. Hib can be prevented by the Hib vaccine. Since the Hib vaccine became availabe in 1992, the number of cases in Canada has decreased by more than 70%.

Side Effects

Hib vaccine is a safe medicine. Side effects are usually mild and may include:

• Redness, warmth, or swelling where the shot was given.
• Fever.

Even though serious allergic reactions are rare with this medicine, call your doctor or public health unit right away if you or your child has trouble breathing, a high fever, or anything unusual after having the shot.

A child who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Hib vaccine should not get another dose. Tell your doctor or nurse if you child has had a severe reaction to any vaccine or has severe allergies.

Children that are younger than 6 weeks old should not get the shot until they are older.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

People that are sick at the time that the shot is scheduled should wait until they are feeling better before having the shot.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH Ralph Poore	Last Updated: October 24, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics William Atkinson, MD, MPH - Public Health and Preventive Medicine Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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