Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib)
General information
Please visit the Vaccine Education Center for general information about Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and the vaccine.
Additional information from past issues of the Parents PACK newsletter
Haemophilus influenzae type b Outbreak
Late in 2007, a Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine shortage began in the U.S. Typically, the Hib vaccine is given to infants at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12-15 months of age. To deal with the shortage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that physicians give children the first three doses of vaccine, but delay the fourth until the shortage was resolved.
Although this recommendation was likely to keep severe disease caused by Hib, such as meningitis, under control, delaying the fourth dose would result in more bacteria circulating in the community. Therefore, unprotected people, who could have previously hidden in the crowd, were no longer protected by their surrounding communities. The reality was demonstrated in Minnesota.
During 2008, Minnesota experienced the largest outbreak of Haemophilus influenzae type b since 1992.
- Five children were diagnosed with the disease; one died
- Three of the five children were not immunized because of vaccine refusal
- The remaining two children had not received all of the recommended doses of the vaccine
- None of the children attended day care nor were they located geographically near each other
If enough people forego immunizations, these types of outbreaks may soon become more common and widespread.
Learn more about Hib and the vaccine »
Updated: January 2012
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- Vaccine Education Center