Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a severe bacterial infection which occurs mostly in babies and children under the age of 5 years. Despite its name, it is not the same as influenza.

Hib is spread through coughing, sneezing or close face-to-face contact.

The infection usually starts with fever, vomiting, lack of energy, confusion, headache and stiff neck.

Hib can cause pneumonia, serious blood infection (septicemia) and swelling of the brain lining (meningitis). For every 20 children who get bacterial meningitis, one will die. Many of the children who live are left with brain damage.

The best way to not get Hib is to get immunized. The Hib vaccine is safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease. When you get immunized you help to protect others as well.

The Hib vaccine is given free (publicly funded) as part of the B.C. routine immunization schedule. People over the age of 5 with certain medical conditions are also eligible for a free Hib vaccine. Find out if you are eligible for a free Hib vaccine.

Get immunized against Hib by making an appointment with your doctor, pharmacist (for those 5 years and older) or Public Health.

Residents of Fraser East (Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope), call 604-702-4906

Residents in any other area of Fraser Health, call 604-476-7087 

Hours of operation: Monday to Friday (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

Note: When making an appointment with Public Health, you will be offered a text message reminder through the ImmunizeBC text message reminder system. 

For more information about Hib and the Hib vaccine, go to:

• Immunize Canada: Diseases and vaccines 
  Learn more about diseases that can be prevented by routine immunizations.
• ImmunizeBC: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  Learn more about Hib.
• HealthLink BC: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
  Information about Hib. Available in English, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese.
• I Boost Immunity
  Earn a vaccine for someone in need by answering a quiz.
• Kids Boost Immunity
  Curated lessons with interactive quizzes that mirror your province's science, health and social studies curriculum – all for free. For every quiz that students complete, they will earn a vaccine for someone in need.
• Caring for Kids: 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine
  Information for parents from Canada’s paediatricians.