Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
Despite its name, the
bacterium Hib does not cause the flu. However, it causes the disease Hib, which
poses a serious threat to the health of children, especially those under the
age of 5 years. Fortunately, the Hib vaccine provides safe and effective
protection against this threat.
What is Hib?
Hib infection is an
invasive bacterial infection that was once the most common cause of bacterial
meningitis in young children. invasive means that germs spread to parts of the
body that are normally free of germs. Meningitis is an infection of the
membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is a
serious infection that can cause fever, cognitive decline, coma, and death. It
kills 3% to 6% of children who are affected. And even when children survive,
many of them suffer severe damage to the nervous system and brain, from
blindness to paralysis and mental retardation.
In addition to
meningitis, Hib can cause pneumonia; epiglottitis, which is a throat infection
that can make breathing difficult blood poisoning; bone infection; and joint
infection leading to arthritis.
The causative agent Hib
is spread in the form of droplets when sneezing or coughing. Prior to the use
of the vaccine, there were about 20,000 cases of Hib in children under 5 years
of age, of which 12,000 were meningitis, and about 1,000 deaths per year.
Can the Hib vaccine cause Hib disease?
No. Hib bacteria are
coated; Hib vaccine is made from this coating, which, when bound to a protein,
can induce the body's defenses against Hib. Because the whole bacterium is not
used, it cannot cause Hib infection and therefore cannot cause Hib disease.
Is the Hib vaccine safe and can it be given with other vaccines?
The vaccine is safe.
The most common side effects include pain, swelling, or redness at the
injection site. There are no serious side effects, serious allergic reactions
are rare.
It is safe to
administer the vaccine with other vaccines or as part of a combination vaccine.
Hib vaccine is usually given as part of a child's regular immunization
schedule.
Who should get vaccinated?
Experts recommend
giving the vaccine to children under 5 years of age. Ideally, the first dose
should be given at 2 months of age.
Because Hib infection
is very rare in older children and most adults have antibodies to Hib in their
bodies, vaccination is not recommended for those aged 5 years or older unless
they are to an increased risk group for Hib infection. b infection. Older
children and adults are at increased risk:
- Anyone who has had their spleen removed or who has sickle cell anemia, leukemia, or HIV.
- Anyone whose immune system has been suppressed due to an illness or treatment such as cancer
How many doses of Hib vaccine are needed?
The vaccines are
equally effective and one can replace the other if the original vaccine given
to the child is not available. The number of doses required for complete
immunity - three or four - depends on the vaccine used. For adults and older
children who are at high risk and have never been vaccinated, at least one dose
of the vaccine is needed to protect.
When should my child be vaccinated?
Experts recommend that
an infant receive the first dose at 2 months of age, the second dose at 4
months of age, and the third dose, depending on the vaccine used, at 6 months
of age. Both vaccines require a booster injection at 12 to 15 months of age.
No child under 6
weeks of age should receive the vaccine. Giving a vaccine to a child during the
first six weeks of life can cause a reaction that prevents the body from
responding to subsequent doses of Hib vaccine. Most newborns have natural
immunity to Hib from their mothers. Eventually he disappears.
What happens if my child misses a dose of Hib vaccine?
If your child misses
a dose, they should get a second injection at their next doctor's appointment.
The series does not need to be restarted.
Can a child get meningitis after getting the Hib vaccine?
Your child will be protected against Hib meningitis if they receive the Hib vaccine. But there are other microbes that can cause meningitis, so it's always possible to develop meningitis at some point. However, the risk is much less than it would be without the Hib vaccine.