Overview & Description
This vaccine is given to prevent infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, called Hib, bacteria. These bacteria grow in the upper airway of children and adults. Most of the time, they do not cause any problems. However, they can cause serious illnesses, such as:
•bacterial meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord
•septic arthritis, an infection of the joints
•cellulitis, an infection of the skin and tissue underneath it
•bacteremia, a blood infection
•pneumonia, or lung infection
•epiglottitis, an infection of a portion of the voice box, known as the larynx
Before a Hib vaccine was made, there were about 20,000 Hib infections each year in the US, which caused up to 1,000 deaths. Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis among children younger than age 5. The number of reported cases has dropped greatly since 1990. In 1995, there were only 259 cases reported.
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
Hib is one of the recommended childhood vaccines. Depending on the actual vaccine preparation used, a series of shots are usually given at ages:
•2 months
•4 months
•6 months
•12 to 15 months
The vaccine is not routinely recommended for children over age 5. There is very little Hib disease in children older than 2. If a child has never had this vaccine by the age of 15 months, only one shot is given at that time.
How is the procedure performed?
A shot of the vaccine is given in the muscle of the thigh or arm. The area is cleaned with an antibacterial swab before the shot.
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Preparation & Expectations
What happens right after the procedure?
The parent should comfort the child after the shot, if needed. A bandaid may be placed over the shot site.
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Home Care and Complications
What happens later at home?
This vaccine may cause mild side effects. These include:
•slight fever
•mild crankiness
•tenderness, swelling, and redness at the site of the shot
If a child gets a fever higher than 101 degrees F, a parent should:
•take the child's temperature every two hours or so, and report anything higher than 103 degrees F to the doctor
•dress the child lightly
•encourage fluids
For pain at the shot site, a parent should:
•apply ice
•comfort the child by holding, cuddling, rocking, or walking
Acetaminophen can be given to the child for fever and discomfort.
Call the child's doctor for:
•any concerns
•continued symptoms
•a fever higher than 103 degrees F or a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
What are the potential complications after the procedure?
Most children do not have major side effects from the vaccine. The minor discomfort from the shot and its side effects are much better than severe illness caused by the bacteria. As with any medicine or vaccine, there is always a chance of serious complications, including death, though this is unlikely.
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Attribution
Author:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:12/16/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:12/16/02
Sources
Professional Guide to Diseases, Sixth Edition. Springhouse: Springhouse Corporation, 1998.
Merck Manual of Medical Information, 2000
Center for Disease Control website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This vaccine is given to prevent infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, called Hib, bacteria. These bacteria grow in the upper airway of children and adults. Most of the time, they do not cause any problems. However, they can cause serious illnesses, such as:
•bacterial meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord
•septic arthritis, an infection of the joints
•cellulitis, an infection of the skin and tissue underneath it
•bacteremia, a blood infection
•pneumonia, or lung infection
•epiglottitis, an infection of a portion of the voice box, known as the larynx
Before a Hib vaccine was made, there were about 20,000 Hib infections each year in the US, which caused up to 1,000 deaths. Hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis among children younger than age 5. The number of reported cases has dropped greatly since 1990. In 1995, there were only 259 cases reported.
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
Hib is one of the recommended childhood vaccines. Depending on the actual vaccine preparation used, a series of shots are usually given at ages:
•2 months
•4 months
•6 months
•12 to 15 months
The vaccine is not routinely recommended for children over age 5. There is very little Hib disease in children older than 2. If a child has never had this vaccine by the age of 15 months, only one shot is given at that time.
How is the procedure performed?
A shot of the vaccine is given in the muscle of the thigh or arm. The area is cleaned with an antibacterial swab before the shot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preparation & Expectations
What happens right after the procedure?
The parent should comfort the child after the shot, if needed. A bandaid may be placed over the shot site.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home Care and Complications
What happens later at home?
This vaccine may cause mild side effects. These include:
•slight fever
•mild crankiness
•tenderness, swelling, and redness at the site of the shot
If a child gets a fever higher than 101 degrees F, a parent should:
•take the child's temperature every two hours or so, and report anything higher than 103 degrees F to the doctor
•dress the child lightly
•encourage fluids
For pain at the shot site, a parent should:
•apply ice
•comfort the child by holding, cuddling, rocking, or walking
Acetaminophen can be given to the child for fever and discomfort.
Call the child's doctor for:
•any concerns
•continued symptoms
•a fever higher than 103 degrees F or a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
What are the potential complications after the procedure?
Most children do not have major side effects from the vaccine. The minor discomfort from the shot and its side effects are much better than severe illness caused by the bacteria. As with any medicine or vaccine, there is always a chance of serious complications, including death, though this is unlikely.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attribution
Author:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:12/16/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:12/16/02
Sources
Professional Guide to Diseases, Sixth Edition. Springhouse: Springhouse Corporation, 1998.
Merck Manual of Medical Information, 2000
Center for Disease Control website
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