Hib
What is it?
Hib is short for Haemophilus influenzae type B. Hib is a bacterium that lives in the nose and throat and is spread through coughing or sneezing. Hib is most often spread by people who carry the bacteria but show no symptoms. Hib bacterium can infect a child’s skin, joints, bones, and ears. The most common and severe complication of Hib is meningitis. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord. Other serious complications include pneumonia, bacterial bloodstream infection, and epiglottis (swelling of the throat). Hib can cause permanent brain damage. Thankfully, there’s a vaccine to protect against Hib.
Why is the vaccine important?
Before the Hib vaccine, there were around 20,000 cases of Hib each year in young children and about 1,000 died from it. Almost all deaths were in children under five years of age. Adults over 65 and people with certain medical conditions like cancer are at increased risk.
Progress
The available Hib vaccines are between 93% – 100% effective and have had a dramatic impact on Hib disease. After the vaccine was introduced in 1985, Hib cases greatly diminished. Cases have decreased 99% with regular vaccination. The Hib vaccine prevented approximately 1.2 million total deaths from 2000 to 2015. Today there are less than 50 cases in young children in the U.S. each year.
Most of the cases we see today are in children who are not vaccinated and infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated. It’s important to remember that although we don’t consider Hib a common childhood illness, the disease can cause serious harm.
Vaccine Recommendations
The CDC recommends children receive 3 or 4 doses of Hib vaccine, 1 each at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 – 15 months. (Depending on which vaccine your child receives, they may not need the 6-month dose.) Since Hib typically affects children under 5 years old, only high-risk older children and adults should receive the Hib vaccine.
Side Effects
Vaccines, like any medicine, can cause side effects (also known as "adverse reactions"). Most side effects are mild and go away within a few days. Common side effects include fever, headache, or body aches. They can also include redness and warmth where the shot was given and tiredness. Side effects are normal. They can even be a good sign that the immune system is working to build antibodies that will fight off future infections!
Remember, vaccines are continuously studied. They are also closely monitored for safety. Research continues to show that vaccines are safe, and the benefits outweigh the risks. The risk of a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine is rare (about 1 in million). The choice not to vaccinate is ultimately more risky. Not vaccinating may lead to catching a potentially deadly disease.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about vaccine side effects. In the event of a serious allergic reaction, call 9-1-1.
