Given to babies and young children to prevent infection with H influenzae type b
Brand Names:
Pedvaxhib, ActHIB, Hibtiter
Contraindications:
Your child should not receive this medicine if he or she has had an allergic reaction to Haemophilus b vaccination or tetanus vaccination (including DTP or DTaP vaccination)
Uses:
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your child's exact dose and tell you how often it should be given.
An intramuscular (in-tra-MUS-kyoo-ler) or IM injection is a shot given in the muscle of your child's upper arm, thigh, or buttocks.
A doctor, nurse, or other caregiver trained to give injections will give your child the shot.
The exact schedule for your child's vaccinations 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 through the age of 5 years.
Your child may receive other vaccinations at the same time as this one. You should receive other information sheets on those vaccinations. Make sure you understand all the information given to you.
If a dose is missed:
It is important that your child receive all the doses of 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.
Storage:
Keep this and all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if your child is also using medicine to suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids or medicines to treat cancer or arthritis. These medicines may cause the vaccine to be less effective.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if your child has ever had a severe reaction to any other vaccinations, if your child has a bleeding problem, or if he or she has HIV or AIDS.
Make sure your doctor knows if your child has an allergy to latex rubber. Some brands of this medicine are stored in a bottle with a latex stopper.
Tell your doctor if your child has any type of illness or infection (such as a cold or the flu), especially if your child has a fever. Your doctor may want to delay giving the shot until your child is well.
It may take up to 2 weeks for your child's body to develop the ability to resist an infection with H influenzae type b. There is a chance your child could become ill during this time.
Patients who have problems with their immune systems, such as those who are getting medicine like prednisone, receiving chemotherapy for cancer, or who have HIV infection or AIDS, may not be fully protected by this vaccine. Because there may be some benefit, your child's doctor may still want to give the vaccine.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Fever over 103 degrees F
Cough or runny nose
Diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Irritability
Low fever
Redness, pain, or swelling where the shot was given
