CDC Update on Hib

Posted on: 01/26/2009

Increase in Hib Cases--
Parents Urged to Make Sure Infants and Children Under Five Are Vaccinated

Minnesota has seen an increase in Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) cases in children younger than 3 years of age. In 2008, there were 5 confirmed cases of Hib, including one death. This serious disease has been uncommon since routine use of Hib vaccine began over 15 years ago. Before widespread use of the vaccine, Hib disease struck over 20,000 children per year in the U.S.  Although Hib bacteria normally circulate in the community, the current conditions are jeopardizing the cushion of protection high immunization coverage provides, making babies even more vulnerable.

The children affected were either mostly unimmunized or partially immunized.

“This is a terrible reminder to us that we can’t let our guard down,” stated Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “Bacteria and viruses are still out there, and if there is an opportunity, serious disease can come back.”

Because high immunization coverage provides what’s commonly called “herd immunity,” parents may forget that vaccine-preventable diseases are still circulating. CDC urges parents of children under age 5 to check their children’s immunization records, or to call their children’s doctor, nurse, or clinic to see if their children are fully protected with Hib vaccine as age appropriate. Hib vaccine is safe and highly effective.

The entire country has been in a Hib vaccine shortage since December, 2007. This shortage is expected to last into mid-2009. There are adequate vaccine supplies to provide protective Hib primary series vaccination for all the children who need them. However, vaccine supply is complicated to manage during a shortage, so not all medical offices or clinics will have vaccine available on any given day.

With the currently available vaccine, babies should receive three doses of available Sanofi Hib vaccine: one each at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Due to the shortage, the booster dose normally received at age 12-15 months can be safely deferred, except for children at high risk, such as those children with sickle-cell disease, leukemia, HIV and other immune system problems, no spleen, or American Indian/Alaska Native children. Older children who did not receive the Hib vaccine during infancy can be protected with fewer doses. Parents should check with their child’s healthcare provider.

CDC has initiated enhanced surveillance to look for Hib disease in children across the country. To date, CDC has not identified any additional clusters of Hib disease outside of Minnesota, but it continues to work with the states to follow up on any suspected cases and urges providers to report cases to their health departments.

Parents can look at immunization schedules or find out more information by visiting: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines, or calling 1-800-CDC-INFO.

This document can be found on the CDC website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hib/downloads/increase-hib-cases-508.doc

Information in the article courtesy of the CDC.