Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Each year, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) kills more than 200,000 children 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, mainly in the form of pentavalent (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-hepatitis B-Hib) vaccines, provide more than 95 percent protection in infants receiving the complete series of pediatric vaccination.
Hib resources on the Vaccine Resource Library were mainly gathered during PATH’s Hib project, which conducted activities in Senegal from 2005 to 2009. For additional resources, visit the Hib page on the World Health Organization website.
More about Hib | View resources on Hib
Key resources
The Pink Book—Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Haemophilus influenzae type b (2012)
A chapter detailing Hib disease and vaccines from the Pink Book, a standard reference on the epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Accelerating Introduction of New Vaccines: Barriers to Introduction and Lessons Learned From the Recent Haemophilus influenzae type b Vaccine Experience (2011)
An article that examines recent efforts to accelerate the introduction of Hib vaccines in developing countries.
Featured PATH resources
More About Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (2012)
A web page that provides links to information about PATH's work on Hib, general information about the disease, and a snapshot of the current Hib vaccine landscape.
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: November 2012.
