Hib Vaccine Recommendations
One of the Recommended Vaccines by Disease
Immunization Schedules
Below are summaries of recommendations from CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). For the full text of the recommendations, see Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) ACIP Vaccine Recommendations.
Routine Vaccination of Infants and Children
CDC recommends routine administration of a conjugate Hib vaccine series beginning at age 2 months:
- Infants 2 through 6 months of age should receive a 3-dose series of Hib PRP-T as ActHib®, Hiberix®, or Pentacel® or a 2-dose series of Hib PRP-OMP as PedvaxHib® (Table 1).
- The first dose can be administered as early as age 6 weeks.
- A booster dose (which will be dose 3 or 4 depending on vaccine type used in the primary series) of any licensed conjugate Hib vaccine is recommended at age 12 through 15 months and at least 8 weeks after the most recent Hib vaccination.
Catch-up Guidance for Children 4 Months through 18 Years
The following “job-aids” provide catch-up guidance for Hib vaccination for children 4 months through 18 years of age, including detailed scenarios by age group and previous doses of vaccine received. These materials should assist healthcare professionals in interpreting Figure 2 of the Childhood/Adolescent Immunization catch-up schedule.
- Hib Vaccine Products: ActHIB®, Pentacel®, or Unknown [3 pages]
- Hib Vaccine Products: Pedvax® Vaccines Only [3 pages]
Contraindications and Precautions
Hib vaccines should not be administered to:
- A person who has ever had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose
- A person who has a severe allergy to any vaccine component
- A person younger than 6 weeks
Hib vaccines may be administered, if the provider and parent deems the benefits of vaccination to outweigh the risks, to:
- A person who has a moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever
Related Pages
- ACIP—Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolutions
- Chart of Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines: For Childhood Vaccines
- Conditions Commonly Misperceived as Contraindications to Vaccination
- Contraindications and Precautions to Hib Vaccination
From the Pink Book’s Chapter on Haemophilus influenzae type b - Contraindications and Precautions to Vaccination (General Information)
From the Pink Book’s General Recommendations on Immunization - Hib Vaccine Information Statement
- Standing Orders
Immunization Action Coalition - Use of Vaccines to Prevent Meningitis in Persons with Cochlear Implants
- Page last reviewed: November 22, 2016
- Page last updated: April 27, 2017
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