Haemophilus Influenzae B Conjugate Vaccine - Hib Vaccine

This vaccine is given to prevent infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, called Hib, bacteria. These bacteria grow in the upper airway of children and adults. Most of the time, they do not cause any problems. However, they can cause serious illnesses, such as:

Before a Hib vaccine was made, there were about 20,000 Hib infections each year in the US, which caused up to 1,000 deaths. Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis among children younger than age 5. The number of reported cases has dropped greatly since 1990. In 1995, there were only 259 cases reported.

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:

The vaccine is not routinely recommended for children over age 5. There is very little Hib disease in children older than 2. 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 bandaid may be placed over the shot site.

What happens later at home?

This vaccine may cause mild side effects. These include:

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

For pain at the shot site, a parent should:

Acetaminophen can be given to the child for fever and discomfort.

Call the child's doctor for:

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 serious complications, including death, though this is unlikely.

Author:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:12/16/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:12/16/02

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