7.3.2.2: Informing Parents/Guardians of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB) Exposure

When a child with invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection is in care, the facility should inform parents/guardians of other children who are unimmunized or incompletely immunized that they may have been exposed to the Hib bacteria and may have risk of developing serious Hib disease. Consultation with health department authorities or the primary health care provider of the unimmunized or incompletely immunized child is recommended.
Staff and children in child care who are not immunized or not age-appropriately immunized (under the age of four years) against invasive Hib disease do not need to be excluded from the child care setting unless there is another reason for exclusion (1). Staff should get the Hib vaccine if recommended by their primary health care provider. Please reference Standard 3.6.1.1: Inclusion/Exclusion/Dismissal of Children for a comprehensive list of exclusion criteria. 

RATIONALE

There is a risk of secondary cases of invasive Hib disease occurring among child care contacts of a child with invasive Hib disease. Risk of secondary cases of invasive Hib disease occurring among child care attendees is greatest among, and may be limited to, children younger than four years of age who are not immunized, not age-appropriately immunized, or have certain immune deficiencies (2). 

COMMENTS

Sample letters of notification to parents/guardians that their child may have been exposed to an infectious disease are contained in the current edition of Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools (AAP).

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
7.3.2.1 Immunization for Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB)

REFERENCES

1. 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.
   
2. 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.