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Report
from the
CDC, Recent
Increase in
Hib Disease
Parents
Urged to
Make Sure
their
Children are
Vaccinated
The U.S.
Centers for
Disease
Control
(CDC)
announced
that five
cases of
Haemophilus
influenza
type B (Hib)
invasive
disease were
confirmed in
2008 in
Minnesota.
Of the 5
babies who
contracted
the disease,
3 patients
had received
no
vaccinations
due to
parent
deferral or
refusal of
vaccinations.
One healthy
infant who
was
unimmunized
was 7 months
old and died
of Hib
disease.
Hib
disease is a
severe
bacterial
infection,
occurring
primarily in
infants and
children
under 5
years. It
can be the
cause of
meningitis,
pneumonia,
sepsis,
epiglotittis
(a severe
throat
infection),
skin
infections,
and
arthritis.
It can be
serious in
children
under age 1,
but there is
little risk
of getting
the disease
after age 5.
Transmission
is most
likely
through
respiratory
droplets
(coughing
and
sneezing).
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-
vac/hib/default.htm
Hib
meningitis
can result
in death in
one out of
20 children,
and
permanent
brain damage
in 10% - 30%
of the
survivors.
Before
widespread
use of the
Hib vaccine,
Hib disease
contributed
to 20,000
deaths in
small
children/year
in the U.S.
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If
your child
has been
receiving
regular
checkups and
is following
the
recommended
schedule of
vaccination
there is no
need to
worry.
Hib vaccine
is
recommended
for all
infants and
is provided
as a 3 dose
series in
the form of
Pentacel
(combination
vaccine of
DTaP, Hib,
and IPV) at
2, 4, and 6
months. A
booster dose
after 12
months is
also
recommended.
http://www.townandcountrypeds.com/test_tips_wellExam.
htm
Although Hib
bacteria are
present
normally in
the
community,
vaccines
given to
infants can
significantly
decrease its
communicability.
*With
decreasing
rates of
immunization
due to
parental
refusal, we
are
currently
experiencing
resurgence
of these
bacteria in
our
community.
This is also
referred to
as herd
immunity.
We
understand
that some
parents are
apprehensive
about
vaccinating
their
children.
This is a
timely and
stern
reminder for
those
hesitant
about
agreeing to
follow the
vaccination
schedule
published by
the CDC.
Hib
disease is
nearly
preventable
with timely
and complete
vaccination.
If you
have been
following an
alternative
schedule,
please take
the time to
think about
fully
vaccinating
your infant
or small
child. Call
the office
for an
immunization
appointment
today.
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