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What If an Infant Misses an Hib Vaccine?

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), a bacteria, causes serious infections in children. Once the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States, Hib disease is now controlled with widespread vaccination of infants.

  1. Hib Disease

    • Invasive Hib disease causes meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis and other infections of the blood, bone and joints, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Vaccine Schedule

    • Two Hib vaccines are available. One is administered to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age; the other requires only two doses administered at 2 and 4 months of age. Both vaccines require a booster dose at 12 to 15 months of age.

    Missed Doses

    • If a child misses a dose, administer the dose as soon as possible. The series does not need to be restarted.

    Older Children

    • Hib disease is uncommon in children older than 5 years. The CDC does not recommend vaccination for unvaccinated children who are older than 5 years.

    Decline Vaccination

    • Declining vaccination may put an infant at risk for Hib infection because the disease still exists. If too many children remain unvaccinated, Hib disease could undergo a resurgence.

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