Haemophilus influenzae infection is not haemophilia (a blood disorder), but a dangerous bacterial infection most commonly caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Despite its name, Hib is not related to influenza: it is a bacterium, not an influenza virus, and it can live quietly in the human nasopharynx without causing any symptoms.
Infection often occurs from asymptomatic carriers during close contact (coughing, sneezing, droplets), so the infection spreads easily in families and children's groups.
Children under 5 years of age are most at risk, especially infants, as this is the age at which the majority of severe invasive cases occur.
The most dangerous thing is that Hib can cause not just a “common cold,” but meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, and epiglottitis—an inflammation of the tissue in the throat that sometimes quickly leads to life-threatening airway obstruction.
Even with modern treatment, the consequences can be severe: Hib meningitis has a mortality rate of several percent, and some survivors experience persistent complications (including hearing impairment and neurological consequences).
Interesting fact: before the Hib vaccine appeared, it was the leading cause of non-epidemic bacterial meningitis in children worldwide, and after the introduction of Hib vaccination, countries saw a drop in invasive cases by more than 90% — not only among vaccinated children, but also thanks to collective protection (reduction in carriage and transmission).
In Ukraine, since January 1, 2026, Hib vaccinations have been given at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age, most often as part of a combination vaccine, so that in one visit, the child receives protection against several infections at once and has fewer shots.
In 2025, 967 children in the Donetsk region were vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Vaccines for mandatory vaccinations are free for the population, and if any doses have been missed, the course does not need to be started from scratch; the doctor will help to draw up an individual catch-up schedule.
The simplest step for every family is to check their child's vaccinations according to the calendar and schedule a visit to the pediatrician or family doctor so that protection is established in time, when it is most needed.
Specialists from the Donetsk Regional Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health conduct epidemiological surveillance of Haemophilus influenzae infection, analyze the coverage of the population with vaccinations against Haemophilus influenzae infection, and distribute vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae infection among healthcare facilities in the Donetsk region.
Information on the availability of vaccines in medical institutions in the Donetsk region can be found on the official website of the State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH of the Ministry of Health” at the link State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH of the Ministry of Health” https://dn.cdc.gov.ua/citizens/vaccination/