The Hib vaccine is given in three doses: at 2 months, 3 months and 4 months
Hib stands for Haemophilus influenzae type B. The main illness caused by this infection
is meningitis: Hib is the commonest form of meningitis in young children. About one in ten
children who have this illness will suffer lasting harm, such as:
- Brain damage, deafness and paralysis
- Epiglottitis, which is a severe swelling in the throat and difficulty in breathing
- Pneumonia
- Blood poisoning
- Infections of the bones and joints
Before the immunisation was available in the UK, one in every 600 children caught Hib
by the time they were five years old. It was responsible for about 65 deaths and 150 cases
of brain-damaged children each year.
It is vital to remember that the Hib immunisation only helps protect children against
the Hib form of meningitis. It will not protect them against other types of meningitis
(meningococcal, pneumococcal or viral). Many parents worry about these kinds of
meningitis, but noticing and getting
treated early can lead to a full recovery.
Side effects
Since the Hib immunisation was first introduced, over 30 million doses
have been given world wide without serious side effects. One child in
ten will have some redness and swelling at the spot where the injection
was given. The swelling subsides in about a day.
- What
is immunisation? - What
protection levels do vaccines offer? - Natural
immunity - The diseases your child can be vaccinated against
- What vaccinations will be offered,when
and why - The
vaccination timetable - Why should I immunise my child?
- What to expect on the day
- What
if my baby is premature? - Contradictions
- Should
I have my child vaccinated? - Can
homeopathy be as effective as vaccination?
