About Hib Vaccines

There are 4 Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines licensed for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 1 of which is combined with vaccines for other diseases. Learn about the types, composition, immunogenicity, and efficacy of these vaccines, as well as view package inserts, below.

 

Types and Composition of Hib Vaccines

Hib vaccine is categorized as a polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, which is a type of inactivated bacterial vaccine. It is made by joining a piece of the polysaccharide capsule that surrounds the Hib bacterium to a protein carrier. This joining process is called conjugation. Conjugating a protein carrier to a piece of the polysaccharide capsule from a Hib bacterium creates an effective vaccine. The vaccines use different carrier proteins, and all of the vaccines are highly effective against Hib bacteria when a complete primary series is given.

Monovalent Vaccines

In the United States, 3 monovalent conjugate Hib vaccines are licensed by FDA. They can be used in infants as young as 6 weeks of age: ActHIB^® (PRP-T), Hiberix^® (PRP-T), and PedvaxHIB^® (PRP-OMB).

Combination Vaccines

At some ages, a child needs to receive several different recommended vaccines simultaneously. Combination vaccines have been created to decrease the number of injections needed to give these recommended vaccines at the same time. There is 1 combination vaccine that contains Hib vaccine: Pentacel^®.

• Pentacel^® contains lyophilized ActHIB^® that is reconstituted with a liquid DTaP/IPV solution. Pentacel^® is approved by FDA for doses 1 through 4 of the DTaP and IPV series among children 6 weeks through 4 years of age. Pentacel^® should not be used for the fifth dose of the DTaP series and is not indicated for children 5 years or older.

 

Immunogenicity and Vaccine Efficacy

Hib conjugate vaccines are highly effective in producing immunity to Hib bacteria. More than 95% of infants receiving Hib vaccine develop protective antibody levels after a primary series of 2 or 3 doses. Invasive Hib disease in a completely vaccinated infant is not common. Although Hib vaccines provide long-lasting immunity, the exact duration of immunity is not known.

Hib vaccine is immunogenic in patients with increased risk for invasive disease, such as those with sickle-cell disease, leukemia, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and those who have had a splenectomy. However, in persons with HIV infection, immunogenicity varies with stage of infection and degree of immunocompromise. Efficacy studies have not been performed in populations with increased risk of invasive disease.

 

Package Inserts

Consult the following package inserts for proper storage and handing details, shelf life, and reconstitution instructions:

• ActHIB^® [19 pages]
• Hiberix^® [15 pages]
• PedvaxHIB^® [11 pages]
• Pentacel^® [36 pages]

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