Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a bacteria that can cause serious illness, including breathing problems or meningitis. Hib infection usually affects children and can be fatal.

Haemophilus B conjugate (PMP-OMP) vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in infants and children 2 to 71 months of age.

The vaccine works by exposing your child to a small amount of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body, and will not protect against other types of influenza.

Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine is not for use in children younger than 6 weeks or older than 71 months of age.

Like any vaccine, haemophilus B conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Tell your doctor if your child uses other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

This vaccine is injected into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office or clinic setting.

This vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old, followed by another dose two months later. If the child receives the two-dose regimen before 12 months of age, a booster dose is required at 12 to 15 months of age.

For children who do not start this series of shots before 15 months of age, the vaccine is usually given as a one-time injection. Unless your doctor's tells you otherwise, you will not need a booster vaccine.

Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of haemophilus b conjugate (PRP-OMP) vaccine to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Haemophilus influenzae Prophylaxis:

2 to 14 months of age: Two 0.5 mL doses intramuscularly two months apart
-Children who get their first dose of this vaccine between 2 and 10 months of age should get a booster vaccination at 12 to 15 months of age.

15 to 71 months of age, previously unvaccinated: 0.5 mL intramuscularly once

Comments:
-Use is not recommended in infants younger than 6 weeks of age due to the potential for immune tolerance.
-This product may be interchanged with other licensed Haemophilus b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccines for primary and booster vaccination.
-A booster dose is required for infants that complete the regimen before 12 months of age; this maintains antibody levels during the first 2 years of life when the risk of invasive Hib is highest.

Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had an allergic reaction to a haemophilus B or meningococcal vaccine.

If your child has any of these other conditions, this vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:

• severe immune suppression caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by receiving certain medicines such as steroids, chemotherapy or radiation;

• a history of seizures; or

• an allergy to latex rubber.

Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.

An overdose of this vaccine is not likely to occur.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if your child has signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Call your doctor at once if your child has:

• high fever (within a few hours or a few days after the vaccine);

• a seizure; or

• fussiness, irritability, crying for an hour or longer.

Common side effects of haemophilus b conjugate (PRP-OMP) vaccine may include:

• irritability, crying;

• drowsiness;

• diarrhea, vomiting;

• rash;

• pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given;

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or

• ear infection--fever, ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Other drugs may affect haemophilus B conjugate vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.