Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) Vaccine

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a contagious bacteria that can turn into a serious infection quickly¹.

Hib can attack the membranes around the brain, your epiglottis at the back of your throat, your lungs, bones, joints or tissues under the skin and can cause pneumonia.

Hib infections are now rare due to immunisation, but before the vaccination was introduced, Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in young children.

¹Healthdirect, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

As meningitis and epiglottitis can develop quickly and can be fatal if not treated, it’s vital to visit your closest hospital department immediately or call triple zero (000) if you think your child has one of these conditions.

Symptoms of Hib appear two to four days after catching the bacteria and depend on what part of the body is affected. Some symptoms include¹:

• Meningitis (infection of the membranes around your brain and spinal cord): Fever, headache, nausea and sensitivity to light

• Epiglottitis (swelling of the epiglottis at the back of the throat): Breathing difficulties, swallowing difficulties, fever and paleness

• Pneumonia (infection of the lungs): Shortness of breath, headaches, chest pain and coughing

• Cellulitis (infection of the tissue under the skin): A red hot swollen area of the skin

Osteomyelitis (infection of the bones): Swelling and inflammation over the bone

¹Healthdirect, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

Hib is mainly spread through coughing, sneezing or coming into contact with secretions from the nose and throat of an infected person¹.

¹Better Health Victoria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

You can be diagnosed with Hib after visiting your doctor, where your doctor may do the following¹:

• A physical examination

• A blood test

• A test of fluid around the spine

• Tests of other specimens

An emergency diagnosis can be made based on the rapid onset of symptoms in a child who was previously well.

¹Better Health Victoria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

Treatment for Hib depends on the type of infection¹. You may need to take antibiotics for 10 days. You may need medicine that can help with your fever and pain as well as extra fluids to maintain hydration.

In some situations, your child may need to be cared for by going to hospital.

¹Better Health Victoria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

The best protection against Hib is getting vaccinated¹.

However, if you come into close contact with someone who has Hib, you may need to take antibiotics to prevent you from being infected.

¹Healthdirect, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

The Hib vaccine is your best protection against getting Haemophilus influenzae type B¹. Four doses are required of this vaccine to be effective.

¹Healthdirect, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

Some common side effects of the vaccine include¹:

• Pain, redness and swelling at the injection side

• Fever

However, these side effects are usually temporary. If they persist, please reach out to your doctor.

¹Healthdirect, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), accessed 9 February 2023

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends the cholera vaccine for the following people¹:

• Routine vaccination in children and infants at two, four, six and 18 months of age

• Infants and children under the age of five who have missed a dose of Hib vaccine

• People who are immunocompromised, including people who have received a stem cell transplant and functional or anatomic asplenia

¹Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine, accessed 9 February 2023

The Hib vaccine is covered under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which means it is free for the following people¹:

• Children aged two, four, six and 19 months of age

• People of all ages with asplenia and hyposplenia

• Eligible people under 20 years old and refugees and other humanitarian entrants who did not receive the Hib vaccine in childhood

If you are eligible for a vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), you may need to confirm with your selected Blooms The Chemist pharmacy about their NIP vaccine stock availability. Please note that there may be a service fee associated with a NIP vaccination.

You can check if you're eligible for the free vaccine here.

¹Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine, accessed 9 February 2023