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 (PRP-T) vaccine is used to prevent this disease in children, and is sometimes combined with vaccines to protect against other diseases.

ActHIB is given to children between the ages of 2 months to 5 years old. Hiberix is given to children between the ages of 6 weeks to 4 years (prior to fifth birthday).

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.

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. The other shots are then given at 4 months and 6 months of age. The booster shot is given at 15 to 18 months of age. The first shot may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines, especially if the child does not start this series of shots before 7 months of age. 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-T) 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 months to 5 years:

4 dose series:
3 primary doses of 0.5 mL, IM, at 2, 4 and 6 months of age
1 booster dose of 0.5 mL, IM, at 15 to 18 months of age

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

• a history of seizures.

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:

• a seizure;

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

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

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

• fever;

• fussiness, irritability, crying;

• drowsiness;

• loss of appetite; or

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

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.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the vaccination provider about all other vaccines your child has received.

Also, tell the vaccination provider if your child has recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;

• cancer treatments;

• medicine to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

If your child is using any of these medications, he or she may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.