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Vaccine Information Archive
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
Articles & Further Information
Disease Definition
Commonly found in the upper respiratory tract (lungs and windpipe), Hib
can cause infection in children under 2 years, because they do not have
the necessary antibodies (substance produced by the body to fight a
particular infection).
Hib infection can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membranes
around the brain and spinal cord), epiglottitis (inflammation of a part
of the larynx), arthritis and pneumonia (lung infection).
Babies with meningitis may have neck stiffness, sensitivity to lights, drowsiness, poor feeding and high fever.
Babies with epiglottitis may have breathing difficulties, be dribbling and anxious.
Source: www.immunise.health.gov.au
What does Hib vaccination claim to protect our children from? I find these questions interesting. The fact is Hib is not a disease. It’s a type of bacteria - Haemophilus influenzae type b. The term Hib disease applies to any disease where Hib is found in laboratory tests. It can be any of a great variety of diseases including meningitis, epiglottis, pneumonia, cellulitis, arthritis, middle ear infection, septicaemia, osteomyelitis, conjunctivitis, respiratory infections plus others.
Hib disease is not like measles, or whooping cough, or polio - or any of the other diseases we vaccinate for - in that it is not defined according to its symptoms. Hib disease can present itself as basically any disease, with any symptoms. Whooping cough etc. have traditionally been defined by the symptoms they present. Hib disease is defined entirely by laboratory tests.
What does that matter?
It matters when you introduce a vaccine for it, because you have to work out a way to monitor how well the vaccine is working. In the past this has been done by measuring how much disease (symptoms) it prevents, but with Hib it's quite different. Traditionally, vaccination programmes have been monitored by their success in reducing the diseases they were designed to combat. For example measles vaccine was introduced to combat the symptoms of measles (fever, skin rash etc.) and its associated complications and deaths. Whooping cough vaccine is judged on its ability to reduce another set of symptoms. Rubella vaccine was introduced to combat birth defects. Polio vaccine, to prevent paralysis.
Hib vaccination was designed to prevent the diseases mentioned earlier (meningitis etc.). But does it do this? It was primarily introduced to combat meningitis, but we are yet to see any reports of a reduction in meningitis.
You will find reports of the success of Hib vaccination in reducing Hib disease. Bear in mind that these are reports are based on its success in reducing the detection of Hib bacteria. Meningitis, for example, occurs with bacteria other then Hib. It also occurs in the absence of bacteria. A reduction in Hib meningitis is not the same as a reduction in meningitis. It is merely a reduction in those cases of meningitis in which Hib is found.
Haemophilus influenzae is a group of bacteria regarded as normal inhabitants of the upper respiratory tract. They are considered 'typable' if they contain a polysaccharide capsule. There are six 'typable' varieties named 'a' through to 'f. The 'b' type (hib) is considered to be one of the causes of the diseases mentioned earlier (meningitis etc.). It is, however, also found in up to 5% of normal children.
As far as reducing the occurrence of Hib bacteria, vaccination has been reported to be successful. The detection of Hib in laboratories has been reduced remarkably. But the question is - has disease itself been reduced? Are meningitis, arthritis etc., still occurring at the same rate but with different organisms found in association? We are yet to see a report of reduced disease due to Hib vaccination.
Does Hib vaccination prevent disease or bacteria - or both? Many will possibly be saying, "Well, if the bacteria is being wiped out then surely the diseases would be too?" But where is the evidence of this? If the diseases are being wiped out then show us. Hib is regarded as the major cause of meningitis in this country. If Hib is being wiped out then show us the resultant reduction in meningitis.
-by Greg Beattie - the VINE
About the vaccine There are currently 4 vaccines against Hib which are licensed in Australia. Some are monovalent or vaccinate against Hib only. Some are multi-valent or contain more vaccines. Some vaccines are 'conjugated' meaning that they use a 'carrier' bacteria such as tetanus to induce an immune response. There is a question about whether these extra doses of tetanus vaccine, in addition to the tetanus vaccine which is contained in the triple antigen DPT or DPaT vaccine, might overload a baby's delicate immune system and cause a condition called hyperimmunisation where antibody levels to tetanus rise too high with some very serious consequences.
Vaccines used in Australia:
- Comvax - Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine; hepatitis B vaccine, Merck Sharp and Dohme : DATA SHEET
- Hiberix - Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine; GlaxoSmithKline Australia : DATA SHEET
- Infanrix Hexa - Diphtheria toxoid; haemophilus influenzae vaccine; hepatitis B vaccine; pertussis vaccine; poliomyelitis vaccine; tetanus toxoid; GlaxoSmithKline Australia : DATA SHEET
- Liquid PedvaxHIB - Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine; Merck Sharp and Dohme : DATA SHEET
DATA SHEETS
Sourced from: www.medsafe.govt.nz
Similar
to 'Package Inserts' these Data Sheets contain information provided by
the vaccine manufacturer and list ,among other things, the vaccine's
ingredients and possible side effects.
We here at the
AVN had the up-to-date Australian vaccination information on our
website for years. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago, we were
ordered to remove these details due to supposed copyright issues though
they are freely available across the Tasman as you can see.
As
far as we are able to determine, this information and the vaccine
manufacturers are exactly the same as the information released on
vaccines in Australia. It seems that the powers that be in Australia do
not want you to know what is in the vaccines being used here, what the
listed side-effects are and what contraindications (or reasons why the
vaccine might not be appropriate) there are for individuals who are
considering taking this shot. Hopefully, the authorities in Australia
will one day become more open-minded on this issue and will decide that
parents are not only capable of understanding this information but
should have access to it to assist in their decision-making process.
For now, here is the information from New Zealand.
Information on Vaccines used in the USA can be found here: www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm
Please share the links to these pages with anyone you know who is considering vaccinating their children or themselves.
Investigate BEFORE you vaccinate
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