Haemophilus b conjugate - hem-OFF-fil-us BEE KON-ja-gat vaccine is an active immunizing agent using to prevent infection by Haemophilus influenza type b - Hib bacteria. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection - antibodies against the disease.
Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine is an haemophilus b vaccine that has been prepared by adding a diphtheria-, meningococcal-, or tetanus-related substance. However, this vaccine does not take the place of the regular diphtheria or tetanus toxoid injections - for example, DTP, DT, or T that children must receive, the regular tetanus toxoid or diphtheria and tetanus toxoid injections - for example T or Td that adults must receive, or the meningococcal vaccine injection that some children and adults must receive.
Infection by Haemophilus influenza type b - Hib bacteria can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as meningitis, which effects the brain; epiglottitis, which can cause death by suffocation; pericarditis, which effects the heart; pneumonia, which effects the lungs; and septic arthritis, which effects the bones and joints. Hib meningitis causes death in 5 to 10% of children who are infected. Always approximately 30% of children who survive Hib meningitis are left with some type of serious permanent damage, such as mental retardation, deafness, epilepsy, or partial blindness.
Immunization against Hib is recommended for all children 2 months up to 5 years of age - i.e., up to the 5th birthday.
Immunization against Hib may also be recommended for adults and children over 5 years of age with certain medical problems.
This vaccine is to be aplaying only by or under the supervision of your family doctor or other authorized health care professional. It is available in the following dosage form:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
In Canada
Other commonly using names are: HbOC , PRP-D , PRP-OMP and PRP-T .