HIB Vaccination - Haemophilus Influenza

Vaccination against Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB)

Before the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae B (HiB) vaccination in the early 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type B was the most common cause of purulent meningitis in children up to five years of age. With the vaccination against HiB, this disease has almost disappeared in Austria. The bacteria are transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing or moist air (droplet infection).

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In two to five percent of the population, the bacterium colonizes the nose or throat without any symptoms of the disease. These healthy carriers of the bacterium can be contagious, which is why vaccination against HiB is very important.

The risk of HiB diseases is highest in the first year of life, which is why the HIB vaccination as part of the 6-fold vaccination should be administered as soon as possible in the third month of life according to the Austrian recommendations.

Vaccination

The HiB vaccination is included in the free vaccination program. As part of the six-fold vaccination, vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB) is carried out in the 3rd, 5th and 12th (-14th) month of life.

Note For children over the age of 5, the HiB vaccination is no longer considered necessary, except for people at risk (eg asplenia). You can find detailed information in the current vaccination schedule.

Adult vaccination

With the exception of people with diseases or functional restrictions of the immune system or anatomical or functional asplenia (missing or non-“functioning” spleen, e.g. also with sickle cell anemia), this vaccination is not recommended in adulthood.

Vaccination schedule

Primary immunization in infancy: 2 + 1 scheme: 2nd dose after 2 months, 3rd dose 6–9 months after the 2nd dose

For complete information on HiB, see Haemophilus Influenzae Infections in Children.