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You are Here: Home Page > Vaccine Supply and Storage > Information for Parents on the Supply of Hib Vaccine  

Information for Parents on the Supply of Hib Vaccine

Vaccinating your child is one of the most important ways you can protect them from infectious diseases. Vaccinating children on time according to the recommended immunization schedule helps to give them the best protection.

Hib vaccine, the vaccine that works against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease, is one of the vaccines recommended for all children. Babies normally receive three or four doses of Hib vaccine between 2 months and 15 months of age (the number of doses depends on which brand of Hib vaccine is used). Unfortunately, certain lots of Hib vaccine have been recalled. Therefore, Hib vaccine is in short supply at this time. Steps have been taken by the vaccine manufacturer and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help prevent doctors from running out of Hib vaccine.

Key Facts

• At this time, there is a low supply of all types of Hib vaccine. This vaccine protects children against serious disease caused by bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
• Because of low supplies, it is important to take steps to make sure all children get some Hib vaccinations.
• CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians are asking all doctors to stop giving healthy children the booster dose of Hib vaccine at 12-15 months of age until this shortage is over. Experts do not think delaying this booster dose will put children at risk of getting Hib disease.
• Hib disease can be serious in very young children, so all babies should continue to get their first two or three doses of Hib vaccine. The number of doses a baby needs will depend on which brand of vaccine your doctor has available.
• Some children are at higher risk for Hib disease. Children with certain health conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, lack of a spleen, cancer, or immune system disorders and Native Americans should continue to get all the recommended doses of Hib vaccine, including the booster dose.
• Experts expect supplies of Hib vaccine will be back to normal by the end of 2008. They continue to watch the supply situation closely, and expect supplies to be limited for the next several months.
• Your physician or other health care provider may not have a steady supply of Hib vaccine. Please work with your physician or other health care provider to bring your baby back to the office for this vaccine when it is available.