Hib Vaccine: Understanding Risks vs. Protection from Hib Disease

Hib disease is caused by the Haemophilus influenzae bacterium and typically strikes young children. Although the Hib vaccination is on the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended childhood immunization schedule, some parents choose not to vaccinate their children.

What is Hib?

• Meningitis, a brain infection, is the most common disease caused by Hib, according to the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), but it can also cause epiglotitis, life-threatening constriction of airways; infections in the joints, skin and bones; or pneumonia.

Disease Side Effects

• While only about 5 percent of children who develop meningitis die, 15 to 30 percent of survivors have permanent neurological damage, such as blindness, deafness or mental retardation, reports the IAC.

Vaccine Schedule

• The Hib vaccine typically is given to babies at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12 to 15 months.

Vaccine Side Effects

• Serious side effects from the vaccine---other than allergic reactions---are uncommon, according to CDC.gov. Most babies experience, at most, redness or swelling at the injection site or a low-grade fever.

Considerations

• In the early 1980s---before the Hib vaccine was introduced---at least 20,000 children contracted Hib disease each year, according to the IAC. On average, 1 out of every 20 children who was diagnosed with the disease died.