What is Haemophilus influenzae?
How is Hib spread?
What illnesses does it cause?
How is Hib transmitted?
Who is most at risk?
Is there a vaccine against Hib?
Is a Hib booster necessary?
Are there any side-effects?
How safe is the Hib vaccine?
Where can I find out more?
If you have any queries or concerns about vaccines please contact your GP or local health office
What is Hib (Haemophilus influenzae B) ?
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Haemophilius influenzae B (Hib) is a bacteria that can cause serious infection in humans particularly in children, but also in individuals with weakened immune system.
How is Hib Spread?
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It is a contagious bacteria that is spread by close contact with an infected person.
What illnesses does it cause?
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Hib can cause serious disease including
- Meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain)
- Septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- Epiglottitis (swelling in the throat that causes choking)
- Osteomyelitis (infection of the bone)
How is Hib transmitted?
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Hib lives in the nose and throats of humans. It is spread through the air by coughing, sneezing or even breathing.
Who is most at risk?
Back to top Hib disease is most common in children under 4 years of age, especially at risk are babies under one year of age.
Is there a vaccine against Hib?
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Since 1992 Hib vaccine has been offered to all children as part of the routine immunisation programme. Hib vaccine is part of the 5 in 1 vaccine (Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis/Polio/Hib) and is given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.
Is a Hib booster necessary?
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Following the introduction of the Hib vaccine the number of cases of Hib disease declined dramatically. However in 2004 a small number of cases of Hib disease occurred in children who were fully vaccinated.
All children reaching 12 months of age are now offered the Hib booster at the same time as MMR vaccine to give extra protection against Hib infection.
Are there any side-effects?
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Mild side-effects, such as a raised temperature, may happen but they do not last long. Some children may have discomfort, redness or swelling where the injection was given.
How safe is the Hib vaccine?
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Hib vaccine has been proven to be one of the safest vaccines available. Over 20 million doses had been used worldwide and no serious adverse reactions had been reported.
If you have any further queries you should contact your GP/family doctor or Local Health Office.
Where can I find out more?
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You can ask for further information regarding immunisation from your G.P., Public Health Nurse or Local HSE clinic
You can download the Hib Parent Information leaflet here. The leaflet is also available for download in the following languages Irish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian. You can access these languages here.
See the Health Protection Surveillance Centre web site for more detailed information
http://www.ndsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/VaccinePreventable/Haemophilusinfluenzae |
