Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (intramuscular route)
Available brands
ActHIB, Hibtiter, Pedvaxhib
About this medication
Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (tetanus toxoid conjugate) is an active immunizing agent that is used to prevent infection caused by theHaemophilus influenzatype b (Hib) bacteria. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease. Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine is prepared by adding a diphtheria, meningococcal, or tetanus-related substance to the process. However, this vaccine doesnottake the place of the regular vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, or meningococcus that children and adults should receive.All of the haemophilus b conjugate vaccines work the same way, but they may be given at different ages or different schedules. Infections withHaemophilus influenzatype b (Hib) bacteria can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as meningitis (a brain disease), epiglottitis (a throat disease that can cause suffocation), pericarditis (a heart disease), pneumonia (a lung disease), and septic arthritis (a bone and joint disease). Hib meningitis may cause death or leave the child with serious and permanent damage, such as mental retardation, deafness, epilepsy, or partial blindness. Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine is recommended for all children 2 months to 5 years of age (up to the 6th birthday). TheHiberix®vaccine is used as a booster dose for children who have already received the primary series with a haemophilus b conjugate vaccine. The vaccine will "boost" or increase the protection that the child had from an earlier dose. This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness ofActHIB®,HibTITER®, orPedvaxHIB®in children 2 months to 5 years of age. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children 6 years of age and older and children younger than 2 months of age. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of theHiberix®vaccine in children 15 months to 4 years of age. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children 5 years of age and older and children younger than 15 months of age. The haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (tetanus toxoid conjugate) is not for use in adult or geriatric patients. Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this vaccine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
A nurse or other trained health professional will give your child this vaccine in a medical facility. It is given as a shot into a muscle. The exact schedule for your child's vaccines will vary depending on the brand of medicine used and your child's age at the time of the first dose. In general, your child will receive the first dose at 2 to 6 months of age, followed by 2 more doses at least 8 weeks apart. Your child will usually receive a booster dose at 15 to 18 months of age, although he or she can receive this medicine up until the age of 5 years. It is important that your child receive all of the doses of the vaccine in this series. Try to keep all of your scheduled appointments. If your child does miss a dose of this vaccine, make another appointment as soon as possible. Your child may receive other vaccines at the same time as this one, but in a different body area. You should receive information sheets about all of the vaccines your child receives. Make sure you understand all of the information that is given to you.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.