Hib - Health Freedom Ireland

Disease	Risk of contracting	Risk of death
Haemophilus Influenzae B (Hib)	Approx 1 in 541,000 (0.0002%) for under 5s (2011 to 2019)	Pre vaccine: no deaths recorded on CSO annual reports for hib pre 1992

What is haemophilus influenzae B (hib)?

Haemophilus influenzae type B (hib, nothing to do with the flu) is a bacterial infection which can occasionally become invasive and lead to more serious disease. In general, hib is considered to be minimally contagious and in most cases, remains in the mouth and nose for up to several months without causing illness. Infections are more likely to occur between September and December and again between March and May.

Babies under 6 months are protected by maternal antibodies and breastfeeding is protective against Hib in children younger than six months of age. Antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae type B and other strains (types A-F) can also be developed even if individuals simply carry the bacteria in their nose and do not have symptoms:

“90% of healthy individuals carry Haemophilus influenzae in their nose, approximately 5% of these organisms will be type B. Antibodies are produced against the encapsulated forms either as a result of disease or of asymptomatic carriage in the nose or the pharynx. Antibodies may also be formed as a result of infections with other organisms that have similar capsules eg E. coli k100 found in the gut”. (Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 1987)

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) can lead to various serious infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and septic arthritis, as well as less common conditions like endocarditis and osteomyelitis. Risk factors for invasive Hib disease include immunosuppression, HIV infection, low socio-economic status, large household size, and crowding, according to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC)

What is the risk of getting hib in Ireland today?

The risk of getting hib for under 5s between 2011 and 2019, was approximately 1 in 541,000 (0.0002%).

What is the risk of death from hib in Ireland?

The risk of dying from hib infection in Ireland between 2013 and 2022 was approximately 1 in 1.5 million (0.00001%) for all ages. There were a total of 20 deaths for all ages from invasive haemophilus influenzae between 2018 and 2022; only one of which was type B.

Before the very first hib vaccine was introduced in 1992, there was no separate classification or reports for hib deaths on CSO Annual Reports of Marriages, Births and Deaths.

What vaccines are recommended for Hib in Ireland

Infanrix-Hexa (recommended at 2,4,6 and 13 months)

Do vaccines guarantee protection from Hib?

No, you can still get Hib even after vaccination.

Is the Hib vaccine safe?

All vaccines come with risks, some very serious. Below is a summary of potential side effects as listed on the patient information leaflet. You can find full details here.

Risks from each dose of 6 in 1 vaccine Infanrix-Hexa (6-in-1)

4 doses recommended at 2,4,6 and 13 months (as per Infanrix Hexa Patient information leaflet Aug 2024)

Observed side effects post administration of Infanrix (post marketing)
Paralysis, numbness or weakness of the arms and legs (neuropathy) Inflammation of some nerves, possibly with pins and needles or loss of feeling or normal movement (Guillain-Barré syndrome) Swelling or infection of the brain (encephalopathy, encephalitis) Infection around the brain (meningitis) Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal (thrombocytopenia)

Risk Category	Observed Side Effects
Up to 1 in 10,000 (0.01%)	Dermatitis
Up to 1 in 1,000 (0.1%)	Bronchitis Rash Swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin (lymphadenopathy) Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal (thrombocytopenia) In babies born very prematurely (at or before 28 weeks of gestation) longer gaps than normal between breaths may occur for 2-3 days after vaccination Temporarily stopping breathing (apnoea) Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing (angioedema) Swelling of the whole injected limb Blisters
Up to 1 in 100 (1%)	Upper respiratory tract infection, tiredness, cough, large swelling at the injected limb
Up to 1 in 10 (1% to 10%)	Sleepiness Loss of appetite High temperature of 38°C or higher Swelling, pain, redness where the injection was given Unusual crying Feeling irritable or restless
More than 1 in 10 (10%)	Diarrhoea Vomiting High temperature of more than 39.5°C Swelling or hard lump where the injection was given Feeling nervous

Other special warnings and precautions
Avoid if child is allergic to formaldehyde, neomycin and polymyxin (antibiotics). Contains para-aminobenzoic acid which can cause allergic reactions. Phenylalanine may be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder in which phenylalanine builds up because the body cannot remove it properly.