INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
Home | Consumers | Health Professionals | Regulatory | Other | Hot Topics | Search
Home | Consumers | Health Professionals | Regulatory | Other | Hot Topics | Search
This leaflet answers some of the common questions about Hiberix vaccine. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
All medicines and vaccines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the possible risks of your child having Hiberix against the expected benefits.
If you have any concerns about Hiberix talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with this vaccine. You may need to read it again.
Hiberix is a vaccine used to immunise against Haemophilus influenza type b (HIB). Haemophilus influenza type b is a common bacteria that causes a range of serious diseases in young children, such as pneumonia, bone infections, skin infections. The most serious disease this bacteria can cause is meningitis.
Hiberix only protects against Haemophilus influenza type b. It does not protect against other types of H. influenzae. Note that Haemophilus influenza is not "the flu" which is caused by viruses.
Meningitis can be caused by different bacteria and also viruses. Hiberix only protects against meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b. It does not protect against meningitis caused by other bacteria or by viruses.
Hiberix is not intended for use in adults.
Haemophilus influenza type b causes a life-threatening disease. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these diseases.
Vaccination is the best way of protecting against this disease. Hiberix vaccine cannot give a child Haemophilus influenza type b.
If you are not sure whether Hiberix should be given, talk to your doctor or nurse.
Some vaccines may be affected by other vaccines or medicines. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do if Hiberix is to be given with another vaccine or medicine.
The doctor or nurse will give Hiberix as an injection. If you have any concerns about how this vaccine is to be given, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
The dose of Hiberix is 0.5ml
Hiberix will be injected into muscle. For infants and children with bleeding problems, the dose may need to be given under the skin (subcutaneously).
The vaccine should never be given intravenously (into the vein).
Hiberix is given as a total of three doses in the first 6 months of life and can start in babies six weeks old. For long-term protection a booster dose is recommended after your child is one year old. Each dose is given on a separate visit.
For babies 6-12 months old who haven't had a vaccination with Haemophilus influenza type b (HIB) before, one dose is given followed by a second dose one month later, then a booster after your child is one year old.
For children one to five years old who haven't had a vaccination with Haemophilus influenza type b (HIB) before, only one dose is given.
It is important to return at the recommended times for follow up doses.
Note that haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination is also in other products, e.g. Infanrix hib. The Hiberix dosing schedule would change if some doses of HIB were given in other products.
If a scheduled dose is missed, talk to your doctor or nurse and arrange another visit as soon as possible.
Keep your child's visits with the doctor or clinic. It is important Hiberix doses are given at the correct times. This will ensure the best effect of the vaccine in protecting your child against Haemophilus influenza type b infection.
If your child is tested for Haemophilus influenza type b infection within one or two weeks after this vaccination, the test could show positive because of the vaccination. If your child needs to be tested for this infection, tell the doctor your child has had this vaccination. Note that the vaccination will not cause the disease, it can just affect the test results.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if your child does not feel well during or after having had a dose of Hiberix.
Hiberix helps protect most children from Haemophilus influenza type b infection, but it may have unwanted side effects in some children. All medicines and vaccines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious; most of the time they are not. Some side effects may need medical treatment. However, the chance of your child having a serious side effect is less than the chance of your child having a permanent injury from the infections.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Most unwanted effects with Hiberix are mild and usually clear up within a few days. These effects, as with other vaccines, generally occur around the injection site.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following that are troublesome or ongoing after vaccination:
These are usually mild, happen in the first 48 hours (2 full days) after the injection, and disappear on their own. However, if they are severe or ongoing see a doctor.
As with all vaccines given by injection there is a very small risk of serious allergic reaction. Contact your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department of your nearest hospital if any of the following happens:
The above are signs of an allergic reaction. Allergy to Hiberix is very rare. Any such severe reactions will usually occur within the first few hours of vaccination.
Other side effects, not listed above, can also occur during or soon after a dose of Hiberix. Check with your doctor or nurse if you notice any other effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. Your child may not experience any of them.
Hiberix is usually stored at the doctor's clinic or surgery, or at the pharmacy. But if you need to store Hiberix always:
Ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over Hiberix that has expired or has not been used.
Hiberix is a white pellet that comes in a glass vial (small bottle). It is mixed with a clear liquid (diluent) before being injected. The diluent comes in either a glass vial or syringe.
The active ingredients of Hiberix are non-infectious substances from Haemophilus influenza type b bacteria. Because the vaccine is non-infectious it cannot cause this disease.
The white pellet also contains an inactive ingredient, lactose.
The diluent (liquid) is saline, which is salt (sodium chloride) and water.
Hiberix does not contain any infectious material.
Hiberix is only available if prescribed by a doctor.
Distributed In New Zealand by:
GlaxoSmithKline
Private Bag 106600
Downtown Auckland
Ph (09) 367 2900
Fax (09) 367 2910
This leaflet is copyrighted to GlaxoSmithKline and may be reproduced but not altered in any way.
Hiberix™ is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of Companies.
Date of Preparation: 01/04, Version 1