Hib is not the “flu,” but a bacterium. The name is historical: it was discovered during flu epidemics, but the flu virus and Hib are different pathogens.
The most vulnerable are infants and toddlers aged 6–18 months. Adults and older children are often asymptomatic carriers and can transmit the infection to young children.
Hib causes invasive diseases: meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes), sepsis, pneumonia, cellulitis (inflammation of fatty tissue), arthritis (inflammation of the joints), and epiglottitis — sudden swelling of the epiglottis with difficulty breathing, requiring emergency care.
Transmission occurs through droplets and close contact. The bacteria settle in the nasopharynx; the more people in the home/group, the higher the risk of spread.
Before the era of vaccination, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children, and vaccination has reduced the incidence in countries with high coverage by tens and hundreds of times.
Conjugate vaccines are a key innovation. They “attach” the Hib polysaccharide to a carrier protein, so the immune system of infants forms a strong and lasting memory.
Hib vaccination is included in the National Immunization Schedule and is carried out in state/municipal institutions at the expense of the budget. The schedule for infants is as follows: first dose at 2 months, second dose at 4 months, booster (third dose) at 12 months. Vaccination according to the schedule is given to children up to 4 years, 11 months, and 29 days of age; at an older age, only persons from risk groups are vaccinated (for medical reasons). Monovalent vaccines (e.g., Hiberix) or combination vaccines with a Hib component (In
Hib vaccination is included in the National Immunization Schedule and is administered in state/municipal institutions at public expense. Schedule for infants: first dose at 2 months, second dose at 4 months, booster (third dose) at 12 months. Vaccination according to the schedule is given to children up to 4 years, 11 months, and 29 days of age; older children are vaccinated only if they are in risk groups (based on medical indications). Monovalent vaccines (e.g., Hiberix) or combination vaccines with a Hib component (Infarix IPV HIB, Infarix Hexa, Pentaxim, Hexaxim, Pentachib) can be used for vaccination.
Even isolated cases are dangerous due to their serious consequences. Hib meningitis can cause permanent complications (hearing loss, developmental delay), so prevention is better than cure.
There is “antibiotic prophylaxis” for contacts. The doctor may prescribe rifampicin to family members or members of the kindergarten group where the case occurred in order to break the chain of transmission.
High-risk groups include children without a spleen or with spleen dysfunction, sickle cell anemia, HIV infection, or those who have undergone transplantation; timely vaccinations are especially important for them.
You can find out about the availability of the vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b in medical institutions in the Donetsk region on the official website of the State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH MOH” at the link State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH MOH” https://dn.cdc.gov.ua/citizens/vaccination/
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State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH MOH”