HIB is the acronym for the Haemophilus Influenzae Type B vaccine. The HIB vaccine is used to inhibit severe infections that resulting from the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria. Such infections include meningitis, which is infection of spinal cord and brain covering, pneumonia, which is infection of lungs, epiglottitis, which is an acute infection of the throat. In the US, HIB vaccine is commended for all kids who are below 5 years of age and is administered to babies that are 2 months and above. In some situations, patients that are at high risk of aggressive HIV ailments but are vaccinated require additional vaccine doses. Older unimmunized kids, adults and adolescents with specific health conditions should be immunized against HIB. There are HIB vaccines that contain other vaccines. HIB vaccines may be administered safely along with other vaccines.

Administration of HIB Vaccine

The spread of HIB bacteria is mainly through contact with body fluids of infected persons. Such fluids include throat and nose droplets spread through sneezing or coughing. In many cases, people who spread HIB are those who are not ill but carry the bacteria in their throats and noses. HIB vaccine should therefore be administered to kids at two, four, six and twelve through fifteen months. However, administration of HIB vaccine at six months is determined by the type of HIB vaccine used. Some vaccine brands do not require a repeat at six months. However, nurses and doctors are best placed to advise whether or not the vaccine is required. In the event that a dose is skipped, it is recommended that the next dose be administered soonest possible. Kids aged five years and above do not require HIB vaccination. However, older kids or adults who have unique medical conditions need to get it. Such conditions include HIV/AIDs, bone-marrow transplant, sickle cell anemia, spleen removals or cancer patients under drug treatment.