Every Baby Deserves The Best “Shot” At Good Health; Hib

Every Baby Deserves The Best “Shot” At Good Health; Hib Vaccine Protects Against Dreaded Disease

As a parent, you want to give your child the best shot at a long, healthy life. A key to ensuring your child’s well- being is on-time vaccination against devastating but avoidable diseases.

One such disease is Haemophilus influenzae type b, commonly referred to as Hib. Hib disease usually occurs in infants and preschool children and is caused by bacteria. Hib can develop into a serious, often life-threatening illness. Most children will survive a Hib infection, but they may experience a number of potentially life-long complications. A disease called bacterial meningitis, which causes swelling of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord, is the most common Hib infection. Survivors of Hib meningitis may suffer mental retardation, deafness, learning disabilities, motor abnormalities or seizures.

Prevention Is Key

The good news is that prevention is available. “Hib vaccination in this country has been so successful that many parents and pediatricians have never even seen the disease, much less the permanent damage it can...