Hib Vaccine

Alternate Names
conjugate vaccine

Definition of Hib Vaccine

This vaccine is given to prevent infections caused by Hemophilus influenzae type b bacteria, known as Hib for short. This name is not to be confused with influenza, which is a virus. Hib bacteria grow in the upper airway of children and adults. Most of the time, they cause no symptoms or illnesses. However, sometimes they can cause a variety of serious infections such as:

• bacterial meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord
• septic arthritis, an infection of the joints
• cellulitis, an infection of the skin and tissue underneath it
• bacteremia, a blood infection
• pneumonia, or lung infection
• epiglottitis, an infection of a portion of the voice box, known as the larynx

Before a Hib vaccine became available, there were about 20,000 Hib infections each year reported in the US, and up to 1,000 deaths, most of those in children under five, in whom Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis. Since 1990, the number of reported cases has dropped dramatically - to 19 cases in 2004 in children under five.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

Hib is one of the recommended childhood vaccines. Depending on the actual vaccine preparation used, a series of shots are usually given at ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 12 to 15 months

Because there is very little Hib disease in children older than 2, the vaccine is not routinely recommended for children beyond age 5. If a child has never had this vaccine by the age of 15 months, only one shot is given at that time.

How is the procedure performed?

A shot of the vaccine is given in the muscle of the thigh or arm. The area is cleaned with an antibacterial swab before the shot.

What happens right after the procedure?

The parent should comfort the child after the shot, if needed. A bandage may be placed over the shot site.

What happens later at home?

This vaccine may cause mild side effects. These include:

• slight fever
• mild crankiness
• tenderness, swelling, and redness at the site of the shot

If a child gets a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, a parent should:

• take the child's temperature every two hours or so, and report anything higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit to the doctor
• dress the child lightly
• encourage fluids

For pain at the shot site, a parent should:

• apply ice
• comfort the child by holding, cuddling, rocking, or walking

Acetaminophen can be given to the child for fever and discomfort. Call the child's doctor for:

• any concerns
• continued symptoms
• a fever higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit or a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

Most children do not have major side effects from the vaccine. The minor discomfort from the shot and its side effects are much better than severe illness caused by the bacteria. As with any medicine or vaccine, there is always a chance of a serious complication such as an allergic reaction, but these are very unlikely.