Hib vaccine, understand the benefits and schedule of administration to infants

Immunization in children is given as a measure to prevent transmission and spread of diseases, one of which is the disease caused by the Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) bacteria. The HiB vaccine is given to babies starting at 2 months of age. What diseases can be prevented by this immunization and how do they work? The following is a complete explanation of HiB immunization.

What is the HiB vaccine?

The HiB vaccine is a way to prevent diseases caused by Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) bacteria. Quoting from the World Health Organization (WHO) Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) is a bacterium that causes several dangerous diseases, such as pneumonia and meningitis.

This disease often affects children under the age of 5. HiB bacteria are transmitted through the respiratory tract from an infected person to a susceptible person or their immune system is deficient.

In Indonesia, the HiB vaccine is included in the list of basic immunizations that must be given to infants and children. This means that this immunization can be given free of charge at the nearest health center or posyandu.

HiB immunization can be given in the form of a standalone vaccine or a combination that combines with other vaccines. However, currently, the HiB vaccine is more often used with a combination vaccine called pentabio.

The pentabio vaccine is a combination of 6 vaccines, namely DPT, hepatitis B, and HiB vaccines.

How does the HiB vaccine work?

You may be wondering, what is the HiB vaccine for? Vaccine or HiB immunization works by preventing the spread of the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB).

HiB bacteria are transmitted through the respiratory tract from an infected person to a susceptible person or their immune system is deficient.

Here are some diseases that can be prevented with the HiB vaccine:

Pneumonia

This is an infectious disease that attacks the lungs so that the air sacs in the lungs swell and become inflamed.

This infection begins by irritating the upper respiratory system (throat and nose), then moves to the lungs, and blocks the movement of air in the lungs.

In children, pneumonia is not characterized by an increased breathing tempo, but the symptoms are vomiting, fever, and pain in the lower abdomen.

Meningitis

This is an infectious condition that causes inflammation around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is also referred to as an inflammatory disease of the lining of the brain caused by several bacteria, one of which is Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB).

These bacteria can spread through the respiratory tract and the fluids released from the mouth, so they can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing. The HiB vaccine can prevent the spread of meningitis caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB) bacteria.

Osteomyelitis

This disease is a condition of infection in the bones that spreads through the bloodstream. Osteomyelitis can be started when you have an injury that makes your bones susceptible to germs.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB) bacteria causes this disease which spreads through the skin and muscles where the infection is located close to the bone.

Epiglottitis

This is an inflammatory condition in epiglottitis, a network of cartilage located at the base of the tongue. This condition is very common in children caused by infection with the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB).

When epiglottitis is infected with these bacteria, the throat will become inflamed, swollen, and even the respiratory tract can be disturbed. This inflammation is often found in infants under 1 year of age and can be treated with the HiB vaccine to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a skin infection that is often caused by bacteria and it is very common. This condition begins with the appearance of redness on the skin, swelling, feeling hot and tender to the touch.

Quoting from Medscape, cellulitis is caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB) bacteria that attacks the face, head, or neck.

This condition is most common in children under 2 years of age. The Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) explains on its official website that HiB immunization can only prevent meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) caused by the HiB bacteria.

Meanwhile, meningitis and pneumonia, which are caused by pneumococcal bacteria, cannot be prevented with the HiB vaccine, but with PCV or pneumococcal immunization.

So, it's best for babies to get both vaccines according to the schedule of administration to avoid pneumonia and meningitis.

Who needs the HiB vaccine?

Recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this immunization schedule is given 3 times as a basic immunization and one time as a booster or amplifier.

The administration of this vaccine can be in the form of a standalone injection or as part of a combination vaccine that combines with other immunizations.

The type of combination immunization that is usually combined with HiB is pentabio. Here are some of the age groups that need to get this vaccine:

Baby

Based on the recommendation of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), usually babies will get the HIB vaccine at the age of 2,3,4 months. Then this series of immunizations will get a booster at the age of 15-18 months

Children

For children under 5 years of age and age range 15-18 months who have not previously received HiB immunization, will require 1 additional HiB immunization.

This is to strengthen the body from exposure to diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B bacteria.

Children over 5 years of age and adults

Usually children over 5 years of age and adults do not receive the HiB vaccine, but it is recommended for those with some health problems.

Health problems that require HiB immunization such as undergoing bone marrow transplant and spleen removal surgery.

HiB immunization is also recommended for children aged 5-18 years who have HIV disease. HiB immunization can be given at the same time as other types of vaccines.

How much is the HiB immunization?

HiB immunization can be given alone or in combination with other vaccines. Typically, the HiB vaccine joins the pentavalent or pentabio DPT vaccine group.

The price of a single HiB immunization (without combining with other vaccines), depending on the brand. For Hiberix, it is around IDR 200 thousand to IDR 300 thousand. Meanwhile, the Act-Hib brand ranges from IDR 250 thousand to IDR 370 thousand.

Are there any conditions that make children need to postpone the HiB vaccine?

Immunization has many benefits, but there are conditions that make children need to delay giving the HiB vaccine. For example, when the child is experiencing a mild illness or is not feeling well (cough, runny nose, fever).

If your child comes to a clinic, hospital, or posyandu in such circumstances, health workers will usually advise you to postpone it until his condition is healthy. Vaccines will not work optimally if your baby's body is not healthy.

What are the side effects of the HiB vaccine?

Immunization is a type of drug that can cause side effects. But there is no need to worry because the side effects they cause tend to be mild and will heal on their own.

The following are minor side effects that usually occur after the HiB vaccine:

• Mild fever
• Redness at the injection site
• The skin is slightly swollen after injection

The side effects of this immunization will subside 2-3 days after the child gets the vaccine. However, even though these cases are very rare, vaccines can cause very severe allergic reactions. Some of the signs are:

• Rash on the skin until itching
• Difficulty breathing
• Fast heart rate

If your little one experiences the conditions above, immediately contact the doctor for further treatment.

When to see a doctor

You need to take your child to the doctor when they have serious, life-threatening side effects, such as difficulty breathing. This case is only 1 in 1 million giving HiB immunization so it is very rare.

When taking your child to the hospital, tell the doctor that your little one has just got the vaccine so that the doctor can treat it according to his condition.

Immunization does have side effects, but children who are not immunized have a greater risk of contracting a more dangerous and possibly life-threatening disease.

This is what makes the benefits of immunization greater than the risk of death and it is important to give children so they are not susceptible to contracting diseases.

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