Hiberix is a brand of haemophilus B vaccine. Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a type of influenza (flu) caused by bacteria. Haemophilus B influenzae bacteria can infect the lungs or throat, and can also spread to the blood, bones, joints, brain, or spinal cord. The bacteria infection can cause breathing problems or meningitis, and these infections can be fatal.

Hiberix is used to prevent haemophilus B in children, and is sometimes combined with vaccines to protect against other diseases. Hiberix is given to children between the ages of 2 months and 18 months old.

Hiberix 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.

Hiberix is not for use in children younger than 6 weeks. When used in combination with certain diphtheria vaccines, this vaccine may not be used in children younger than 15 months.

Like any vaccine, Hiberix may not provide protection from disease in every person.

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

Before taking this medicine

Your child should not receive Hiberix 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, Hiberix 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;

• an allergy to latex rubber; or

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising.

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving Hiberix.

Hiberix should not be given to anyone age 6 or older, and it is not known whether the vaccine is harmful during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

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

Hiberix is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months and 6 months of age, and again at 15 to 18 months of age. In some cases, a 5th booster dose is given at 4 to 6 years 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 this medicine to give your child.

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

Your child should not receive Hiberix 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, Hiberix 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;

• an allergy to latex rubber; or

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising.

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving Hiberix.

Hiberix should not be given to anyone age 6 or older, and it is not known whether the vaccine is harmful during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

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 Hiberix. 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 Hiberix 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 any signs of an allergic reaction to Hiberix: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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

Becoming infected with haemophilus B influenzae is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving Hiberix. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Call your doctor at once if your child has:

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

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

Common Hiberix side effects may include:

• vomiting, loss of appetite;

• diarrhea; 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 your child receives Hiberix, tell the doctor about all other vaccines your child has recently received.

Other drugs may interact with haemophilus b conjugate vaccine), including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell the doctor about all medications and treatments your child has recently received. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.