Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine for adults

Who need Hib vaccine immunization?

Adults with special medical status or condition need to get vaccinated

• Individuals suffering from AIDS
• Have damaged of absence of spleen – Asplenia
• Individual undergoing spleen removal – Splenectomy
• Should be administered ≥14 days before splenectomy
• Individuals suffering from Sickle cell disease
• Bone marrow transplant (HSCT) patients
• Individuals suffering from complement deficiency

How does Hib vaccine help?

In immune compromised individuals, the vaccine provides long-term protection from Haemophilus influenzae type b infection and its complications – meningitis, pneumonia, pericarditis and septic arthritis.

What are the complications of Haemophilus influenzae type b infection?

• Inflammation of the meninges covering brain and spinal cord – Meningitis
• Inflammation of the lungs – Pneumonitis and Pneumonia
• Inflammation of the circulatory system – Vasculitis with DIC
• Inflammation of the epiglottis – Epiglottitis
• Inflammation of the soft tissue under the skin – Cellulitis
• Increased Intracranial Pressure
• Increased ICP
• Seizures
• Subdural effusions
• Brain oedema
• Coma

Do adults need vaccination?

Adults usually do not need a Hib vaccine. However, CDC recommends Hib vaccination for people with certain medical conditions

Who shouldn’t get immunised with Hib vaccine?

• Individuals severely ill at the time of vaccination
• Individuals who may suffer fatal anaphylactic shock due to allergy towards vaccine or vaccine components

How safe is Hib vaccine?

The Hepatitis A vaccine is extremely safe and effective in preventing Hepatitis A disease

How Hib vaccine is administered?

1 or 3 doses of Hib vaccine is administered intramuscularly
For example –

• 1 dose of HIB vaccine should be administered to patients suffering from complement deficiency
• 3-dose regimen with 4weeks gap between doses to patients undergone HSCT

What are the side effects of Hib vaccine?

Most commonly occurring immunisation side effects are usually mild and temporary and do not require specific treatment

• Injection site reaction – Pain, redness, hardening, swelling
• Irritability
• Drowsiness
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Fussiness
• Restlessness
• Apnoea
• Fainting

How does the infection spread?

Haemophilus Influenzae type b spreads from infected person to a healthy individual while being in close proximity through air droplets

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?

• Stiff neck
• Stiff back
• Vomiting
• Joint pains
• Difficulty in breathing
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Confusion
• Headache
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Photophobia
• Drowsiness
• Excessive sleepiness