7.3.2.1: Immunization for Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB)

All children in a child care facility should have received age-appropriate immunizations with a Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate containing vaccine (1). Staff and children in child care who are not immunized or not age-appropriately immunized (those under the age of 4 years) against invasive Hib disease do not need to be excluded from the child care setting unless there is another reason for exclusion (2). Please reference Standard 3.6.1.1: Inclusion/Exclusion/Dismissal of Children for a comprehensive list of exclusion criteria. 

RATIONALE

Appropriate immunization of children with a Hib conjugate-containing vaccine prevents the occurrence of disease and decreases the rate of spread of this organism, thereby decreasing the risk of transmission to others (3). 

COMMENTS

Transmission of Hib may occur among unimmunized young children in group child care, especially children younger than twenty-four months of age. Hib causes pneumonia, meningitis, joint and bone infection, heart infection, and epiglottitis. In an outbreak of invasive Hib disease in child care, rifampin prophylaxis may be indicated for all non-pregnant contacts, especially when unimmunized or incompletely immunized children attend the child care facility (3).

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

3.6.1.1 Inclusion/Exclusion/Dismissal of Ill Children
7.2.0.1 Immunization Documentation
7.2.0.2 Unimmunized/Underimmunized Children
7.2.0.3 Immunization of Staff
7.3.2.2 Informing Parents/Guardians of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB) Exposure

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. 2016. Immunization schedules. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/index.html. 
   
2. Aronson, S. S., T. R. Shope, eds. 2017. Managing infectious diseases in child care and schools: A quick reference guide, 4^th Edition. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
   
3. American Academy of Pediatrics. Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB) In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, Long SS, eds. Red Book: 2018 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 31st Edition. Itasca, IL:  American Academy of Pediatrics; 2018: 367
   

NOTES

Content in the STANDARD was modified on 8/9/2017.