Medications and Drugs

Travel Health and Vaccines Slideshow Pictures

Brand Names: Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit

Generic Name: haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine (Pronunciation: hee MAW fih liss in flu EN za)

• What is haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• What are the possible side effects of haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• What is the most important information I should know about haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• How is haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine administered (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• What happens if I overdose (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• What should I avoid before or after getting haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• What other drugs will affect haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?

Haemophilus influenzae is a serious disease caused by bacteria. It usually strikes children younger than 5 years old. Haemophilus influenzae is spread from person to person. Children and adults may have the bacteria and not know it. If the germs stay in a child's nose and throat, the child probably will not get sick. But sometimes the germs spread into the lungs or the bloodstream, and then Hib can cause serious problems. Hib vaccine exposes the individual to a small amount of the bacteria (or to a protein from the bacteria) and causes the body to develop immunity to the disease.

Before Hib vaccine, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings, which can lead to lasting brain damage and deafness. Hib disease can also cause pneumonia; severe swelling in the throat, making it hard to breathe; infections of the blood, joints, bone, and covering of the heart; and death.

Haemophilus influenzae vaccine (Hib) can help prevent the disease. Many more children would get the disease if vaccination did not occur.

What are the possible side effects of haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?

Getting haemophilus influenzae disease is much riskier than getting Hib vaccine. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Hib vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if any of the following rare but serious side effects from Hib vaccine are experienced:

• a serious allergic reaction including swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; or a fast heart beat within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot;
• high fever; or
• behavior changes.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience:

• fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (about up to 1 child in 20); or
• redness, warmth, or swelling where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4).

If these problems happen, they usually start within a day of vaccination. They may last 2-3 days.

Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by giving the child an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications..

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Acthib, Hibtiter, Omnihib, Pedvax HIB, Prohibit)?

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Hib vaccine.