Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Each year, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) kills more than 300,000 people worldwide and causes an estimated two to three million cases of Hib disease, mostly in developing countries. Hib mainly affects children under five years of age and is a significant cause of meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain) and bacterial pneumonia in children. Hib can be treated with antibiotics, and conjugate Hib vaccines provide more than 95 percent protection in infants receiving the complete series of pediatric vaccination.
More about Hib | View resources on Hib
Key resources
The Immunological Basis for Immunization Series, Module 9: Haemophilus influenzae type b (2007)
An overview of the scientific basis of vaccination regarding Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
The Pink Book—Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Haemophilus influenzae type b (2008)
A chapter detailing Hib disease and vaccines from the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's Pink Book, a standard reference on the epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Weekly Epidemiological Record: Position Paper on Haemophilus influenzae type b Conjugate Vaccines (2006)
The World Health Organization's updated position paper on Hib vaccines, calling for their use in all infant immunization programs and stating that Hib vaccine is the only public health tool capable of preventing the majority of cases of serious Hib disease.
Featured PATH resources
Immunizing Children Against Haemophilus influenzae type b (2006)
A training resource that provides key technical content—including sections on using monovalent, quadrivalent, or pentavalent Hib vaccine formulations—and quizzes, role plays, and creative ideas for trainers.
Page last updated: May 2010.
