Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine (Hib)

The haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine is provided as part of the 5-in-1 jab. The vaccine also defends against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio. The 5-in-1 jab is the earliest vaccination to be given as a branch of the routine vaccination programme for youngsters in the UK. The injections are given in the child’s thigh.

At what time is the vaccine administered?

The 5-in-1 DTaP/IPV/Hib vaccine is administered at the ages of 2, 3 and 4 months old and a fourth dose of Hib is provided as a combined injection with meningitis C at the time of 12-13 months. Your local Primary Care Trust or GP surgery will write to you and advise when your child should have their injections.

Is the vaccine safe?

The 5-in-1 vaccine is harmless and highly effective. Every vaccine in the UK has been through rigorous testing to ensure that they are effective and safe. It is common for children to suffer from mild grievance after having an injection, but the plusses of vaccinations far outweigh the negatives and it is important for parents and guardians to ensure that their children have their injections.

What is Hib?

Hib (haemophilus influenzae type B) is a bacterial infection that can give rise to a host of illnesses, including meningitis, pneumonia and blood poisoning; the infection is particularly dangerous for children. All of the diseases caused by Hib can be fatal, so vaccination is extremely important.

Why is the Hib vaccine so important?

The Hib vaccine is important because it has helped to decrease the sum of instances of diseases caused by Hib. Since vaccination was introduced in 1992, the degree of cases of Hib disease has fallen by 99% in children under the age of 5 years old. The total cases of Hib disease in unvaccinated people has also fallen by 96 percent since the vaccination was introduced. 

Conditions caused by Hib

Hib can cause many serious illnesses, including:

• Meningitis.
• Pneumonia.
• Epiglottis.
• Pericarditis.
• Septic arthritis.
• Cellulites.

Are there any side-effects?

It is common for children to experience mild consequences after having the 5-in-1 vaccination, which can include:

• Pain and swelling around the injection site.
• Slightly high temperature.
• Being irritable and more clingy than usual.

Possible side-effects of the Hib/meningitis booster (given at the age of 12-13 months) include:

• Feeling tired.
• Pain around the location of the injection.
• Loss of appetite.
• Slightly high temperature.