Vaccination Services - Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)

Before the Hib vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b was a leading cause of life-threatening infections in young children, including meningitis. Routine vaccination has made it rare. This page explains what the vaccine protects against and who needs it.

What is Hib?

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterium that, despite its name, is not the flu. Before vaccination it caused serious invasive disease in young children, including meningitis, epiglottitis (a dangerous throat infection), bloodstream infection, and pneumonia. The Hib vaccine protects against these, and is one of the great public-health successes, Hib disease is now uncommon in Australia thanks to high childhood vaccination.

Who is it for?

Hib vaccine is primarily a routine infant and early-childhood vaccine, given as a course in the first 18 months of life (often combined with other vaccines), and it is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Most healthy older children and adults do not need it, because the risk drops sharply after early childhood. However, Hib vaccination is recommended for certain at-risk groups at older ages, particularly people without a working spleen (asplenia) or with some other conditions affecting the immune system, and for catch-up where childhood doses were missed.

Getting it

For infants and young children, Hib is given on the routine schedule through a GP or immunisation clinic, usually as part of a combination vaccine. For older children or adults who need it (for example, after spleen removal or for catch-up), a pharmacist immuniser may be able to provide it where state rules and age limits allow; otherwise your GP can. Wherever it is given, the dose is recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.

Who should ask about it as an adult

If you have had your spleen removed, have a non-functioning spleen, or have certain immune conditions or transplants, ask your doctor about Hib (and other recommended vaccines), as you are at higher risk of severe bacterial infections and have specific vaccination recommendations. Otherwise, most adults are protected from childhood and do not need a dose.

Safety

Hib vaccines have an excellent safety record, with mild, short-lived side effects such as a sore injection site or low fever being most common. Tell the immuniser about severe allergies, past reactions, or relevant medical conditions.

How it’s regulated in Australia

Hib vaccine is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and funded under the National Immunisation Program for infants and for eligible at-risk groups. Pharmacist immunisers, where involved, administer under state and territory rules and record doses on the Australian Immunisation Register, guided by the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Official sources

• Healthdirect: Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
• National Immunisation Program schedule

Mostly a routine infant vaccine, but important for some at-risk adults. Use the button below to find a pharmacy offering Hib vaccination near you, or speak with your GP.