Hib (also called Haemophilus influenzae type b) is a serious disease in young children. It can affect the airways, skin, ears or brain.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from Hib
Who should get vaccinated against Hib
Anyone who wants to protect themselves against Hib can talk to their vaccination provider about getting vaccinated.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends Hib vaccination for specific groups including:
- routine vaccination in infants and children
- infants and children under 5 years of age who have missed a dose of Hib-containing vaccine
- people who are immunocompromised, including people with asplenia and people who have received a haematopoietic stem cell transplant.
Hib vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- children aged 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 18 months.
- people of all ages with asplenia and hyposplenia.
Eligible people under 20 years old and refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can get a free catch-up vaccination. This is if they did not receive the vaccines in childhood and it is recommended to receive the vaccine.
Hib vaccines should not be given to people who have had:
- anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any Hib vaccine
- anaphylaxis after any component of a Hib vaccine.
Hib vaccine is not generally recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Read more about Getting vaccinated.
How to get vaccinated against Hib
Hib vaccines come as a single vaccine or as a combination vaccine that also protects against other diseases.
Hib vaccines include:
- Infanrix hexa - PDF 143 KB*
- Vaxelis – PDF 264 KB*
- ActHIB - PDF 19 KB*
- Menitorix - PDF 110 KB*
- Hiberix - PDF 117 KB
- Hexaxim - PDF 25 KB.
*Indicates National Immunisation Program vaccine.
Your vaccination provider will tell you which vaccine they will give you.
Find product information and consumer medicine information for each available vaccine from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Where to get vaccinated
You can get your vaccine from a range of vaccination providers. Find out where and more about your vaccination visit at getting vaccinated.
Possible side effects of Hib vaccination
You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.
Common side effects of Hib vaccines include:
- pain, redness and swelling at injection site
- occasionally an injection-site lump (may last many weeks - no treatment needed)
- mild fever.
Talk to your vaccination provider about possible side effects of Hib vaccines, or if you or your child have possible side effects that worry you.
The Consumer Medicine Information available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website lists the ingredients and side effects of each vaccine.
Learn more about the possible side effects of vaccination.