People with Hib should not attend child care or school until they have had at least 72 hours of an appropriate antibiotic. In certain circumstances, a short course of antibiotics may be recommended for those in very close contact with someone who has Hib disease. The purpose of the antibiotic is to eliminate the Hib bacteria from the nose or throat of those who may be carrying it and so prevent the bacteria from being passed to those most susceptible to Hib disease. However, cases of disease may occur despite taking the antibiotic so contacts must still be alert for symptoms. Contacts who have no symptoms and are taking antibiotics may continue to attend childcare, school or work.
Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing invasive Hib disease. Vaccination is recommended as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule for all children at six to eight weeks of age then at four, six and twelve months of age. The Hib vaccine for children is given as one injection combined with other childhood vaccines. It can be given at the same time as other immunisations recommended at this age.
Hib vaccine is also recommended for people who do not have a spleen or a working spleen and for stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients.
Like all medications, vaccines may have side effects. Most side effects are minor, last a short time and do not lead to any long-term problems. Possible side effects include discomfort, fever and/or redness and swelling where the injection was given. More serious side effects are extremely rare. Contact your immunisation provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination which you consider serious or unexpected.
Recently added
This page was added on 06 June 2018.
- Updated guidance on route of administration.
- Removal of Menitorix as vaccine was discontinued in July 2020.
Guidance on co-administration of Hib-containing vaccines with quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines has been added.
The Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) booster dose previously given in combination with Hib-MenC (combined Hib and meningococcal C vaccine) at 12 months of age has been replaced with a monovalent Hib dose at 18 months of age.
Changes to 4.3.4 Vaccines, 4.3.7 Recommendations, and 4.3.12 Variations from product information
4.3.4 Vaccines
Addition of text to clarify situations in which vaccine interchangeability will now need to be considered.
4.3.4 Vaccines, 4.3.7 Recommendations, 4.3.12 Variations from product information
Amendment of text due to the discontinuation of the Haemophilus b conjugate (PRP-OMP) vaccine (PedvaxHIB) (Refer also Chapter 2.1 Pre-vaccination).
Amendment of text due to the discontinuation of a vaccine type, Pediacel (Refer also Chapters, 4.2 Diphtheria, 4.12 Pertussis, 4.14 Polio and 4.19 Tetanus).
- Added 'People with latex allergy' section under 'Precautions', to reflect updated product information regarding Adacel.
- Updated guidance on route of administration.
- Removal of Menitorix as vaccine was discontinued in July 2020.
Guidance on co-administration of Hib-containing vaccines with quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines has been added.
The Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) booster dose previously given in combination with Hib-MenC (combined Hib and meningococcal C vaccine) at 12 months of age has been replaced with a monovalent Hib dose at 18 months of age.
Changes to 4.3.4 Vaccines, 4.3.7 Recommendations, and 4.3.12 Variations from product information
4.3.4 Vaccines
Addition of text to clarify situations in which vaccine interchangeability will now need to be considered.
4.3.4 Vaccines, 4.3.7 Recommendations, 4.3.12 Variations from product information
Amendment of text due to the discontinuation of the Haemophilus b conjugate (PRP-OMP) vaccine (PedvaxHIB) (Refer also Chapter 2.1 Pre-vaccination).
Amendment of text due to the discontinuation of a vaccine type, Pediacel (Refer also Chapters, 4.2 Diphtheria, 4.12 Pertussis, 4.14 Polio and 4.19 Tetanus).
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterial infection that can cause a number of serious illnesses, particularly in young children. Hib infections used to be a serious health problem in the UK, but the routine immunisation against Hib, given to babies since 1992, means these infections are now rare. Of the small number of cases that do occur nowadays, most affect adults with long-term underlying medical conditions, rather than young children. Hib bacteria can cause several serious infections, including: Many children who develop Hib infections become very ill and need treatment with antibiotics in hospital. Meningitis is the most severe illness caused by Hib. Even with treatment, 1 in every 20 children with Hib meningitis will die. Those who survive may have long-term problems, such as hearing loss, seizures and learning disabilities. Hib bacteria can live in the nose and throat of healthy people, and usually do not cause any symptoms. The bacteria are usually spread in a similar way to cold and flu viruses, through infected droplets of fluid in coughs and sneezes. The bacteria can be spread by healthy people who carry the bacteria, as well as those who are ill with a Hib infection. Inhaling the infected droplets or transferring them into your mouth from a contaminated surface can allow the bacteria to spread further into your body, causing one of the infections mentioned above. Vaccinating children against Hib has been very effective in cutting rates of Hib infections. From more than 800 confirmed cases a year in England in the early 1990s, there were only 10 cases of Hib infections in England in 2018. The Hib vaccine is routinely offered to babies as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. Babies have 3 separate doses of Hib vaccine – at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age – as part of the combined 6-in-1 vaccine. A booster dose is also offered when a child is 1 year old as part of the combined Hib/MenC booster to provide longer-term protection.
Page last reviewed: 27 August 2019
Next review due: 27 August 2022