VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) 

Vaccine: What You Need to Know

1. Why get vaccinated?

Hib vaccine can prevent Haemophilus influenzae 

type b (Hib) disease.

Haemophilus influenzae type b can cause many 

different kinds of infections. These infections usually 

affect children under 5 years of age but can also 

affect adults with certain medical conditions. Hib 

bacteria can cause mild illness, such as ear infections 

or bronchitis, or they can cause severe illness, such 

as infections of the blood. Severe Hib infection, also 

called “invasive Hib disease,” requires treatment in a 

hospital and can sometimes result in death.

Before Hib vaccine, Hib disease was the leading 

cause of bacterial meningitis among children under 

5 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an 

infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. 

It can lead to brain damage and deafness.

Hib infection can also cause:

 Pneumonia

 Severe swelling in the throat, making it hard to 

breathe

 Infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering 

of the heart

 Death

2. Hib vaccine

Hib vaccine is usually given in 3 or 4 doses 

(depending on brand).

Infants will usually get their first dose of Hib vaccine 

at 2 months of age and will usually complete the 

series at 12–15 months of age.

Children between 12 months and 5 years of 

age who have not previously been completely 

vaccinated against Hib may need 1 or more doses 

of Hib vaccine.

Children over 5 years old and adults usually do not 

receive Hib vaccine, but it might be recommended 

for older children or adults whose spleen is damaged 

or has been removed, including people with sickle 

cell disease, before surgery to remove the spleen, or 

following a bone marrow transplant. Hib vaccine 

may also be recommended for people 5 through 18 

years old with HIV.

Hib vaccine may be given as a stand-alone vaccine, 

or as part of a combination vaccine (a type of vaccine 

that combines more than one vaccine together into 

one shot).

Hib vaccine may be given at the same time as 

other vaccines.

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose 

of Hib vaccine, or has any severe, life-threatening 

allergies

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone Hib vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

Hib vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

8/6/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

Hib Vaccine

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Redness, warmth, and swelling where the shot is 

given and fever can happen after Hib vaccination.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the 

vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs 

of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the 

face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. The National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 

(VICP) is a federal program that was created to 

compensate people who may have been injured by 

certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or 

death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, 

which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package 

inserts and additional information at 

www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.