Haemophilus Influenza Type B (HIB) Disease & Vaccine Information
Find the Information You Need to Make Informed Vaccine Decisions
HIB: The Disease
Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a small gram-negative coccobacillus1 found only in humans2 and can be either encapsulated (typeable) or unencapsulated (nontypeable). H. influenzae type b (Hib) is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions and enters the body through the upper respiratory tract. In most cases, Hib can remain in the mouth and nose for up to several months, without causing illness.3 In general, H. influenzae disease is considered to be minimally contagious, however, if a person has close contact to someone who is infected with or is carrying H. influenzae, transmission can occur.4 Learn more about Hib…
HIB Vaccine
Currently, there are four Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines available for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has approved Hib vaccine for use in children at 2, 4, 6 and 12-15 months of age.5 The ACIP, however, has not made any recommendations regarding the use of the newly FDA approved 6 in 1 (hexavalent) vaccine, VAXELIS, at this time. Learn more about HIB vaccine…
HIB Quick Facts
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterial infection that can cause severe illnesses in children, including meningitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia, arthritis, and cellulitis;6
- In general, the transmission of Hib is considered to be limited and when it occurs, it usually affects only close contacts such as household members.7 Prior to the introduction of the Hib vaccine, most children acquired natural immunity to Hib by the time they were 5 or 6 years old.8 Continue reading quick facts…
HIB Vaccine
- All infants and children who participated in Hib vaccine pre-licensing clinical trials also received other vaccines in addition to the Hib vaccine. As a result, it is not possible to determine the specific adverse reaction to monitor for following Hib vaccination. 9 10 11 12 The administration of multiple vaccines also makes it difficult to determine the specific vaccine that might have triggered the reactions reported in both clinical studies and to VAERS.
- Using the MedAlerts search engine, as of March 31, 2019, there have been more than 80,024 reports of Hib vaccine reactions, hospitalizations, injuries and deaths following Hib vaccinations made to the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), including 2,682 related deaths, 16,228 hospitalizations, and 1,604 related disabilities. Over 88% of HIB vaccine-related adverse events occurred in children three years old and under. Of these Hib-vaccine related deaths reported to VAERS, nearly 94% of the deaths occurred in children under three years of age. Of these reported deaths, 2,035 occurred in infants under the age of 6 months. Continue reading quick facts...
Learn More About Hib and Hib Vaccine
NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) and the Hib vaccine by reading all sections in the Table of Contents , which contain many links and resources such as the manufacturer product information inserts, and to speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
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References
1 CDC Haemophilus influenzae type b – Haemophilus influenzae Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book). 13th ed. 2015.
2 CDC Haemophilus influenzae type b – Epidemiology Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book). 13th ed. 2015.
3 CDC Haemophilus influenzae type b – Pathogenesis Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book). 13th ed. 2015.
4 Ibid
5 CDC Prevention and Control of Haemophilus influenzae Type b Disease: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) MMWR Feb. 28, 2014; 63(RR01);1-14
6 CDC Types of Haemophilus influenzae Infections. Feb. 13, 2018
7 CDC Haemophilus influenzae type b – Epidemiology Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book). 13th ed. 2015.
8 CDC Haemophilus influenzae type b – Pathogenesis Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book). 13th ed. 2015.
9 FDA ActHIB Product Insert Dec. 20, 2018
10 FDA Hiberix Product Insert Apr. 30, 2018
11 FDA Pentacel Product Insert Mar. 16, 2017
12 FDA Haemophilus B Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate) Product Insert Apr. 27, 2011