introduction

The Hib/MenC vaccine boosts your child's protection against two different diseases:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• meningitis C (MenC) infections

Hib and MenC infections are both serious and can both cause meningitis (infection of the membrane surrounding the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Who should have it
The Hib/MenC is a booster vaccination given to children shortly after their first birthday (see Hib/MenC - when it is needed).

It boosts the protection your child gets from the first course of Hib vaccine when they are 8, 12 and 16 weeks old and the MenC vaccine when they are 12 and 16 weeks. This boosted immunity lasts into adulthood.

About the vaccine
The Hib/MenC vaccine is inactivated. This means it does not contain any live organisms so there is no risk of catching the diseases against which it protects.

There is no mercury (thiomersal) in Hib/MenC.

How effective is this vaccine?
The Hib/MenC booster is highly effective and protects children when they are most vulnerable to the diseases. Rates of Hib disease and MenC are now at their lowest ever levels.

When the Hib/MenC Booster is Offered

The Hib/MenC booster is offered soon after your child has their first birthday.

It is given as a single injection into the muscle of your child's thigh or upper arm.

If your child is taking any medicines on your doctor's advice, these should be continued as normal before and after they receive their vaccination.

Who should not have it
The Hib/MenC booster should not be given to children who have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (serious allergic reaction) to a previous dose or to a component of the vaccine.

Children with a minor illness without a fever, such as a cough or cold, should be offered the vaccination. If your child is ill with a fever, vaccination should be postponed until they have recovered. This is to avoid wrongly associating any progression of the illness with the vaccine.

Other vaccines
Hib/MenC can be given at the same time as vaccines that protect against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and hepatitis B, and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).

It can also be given at the same time as the MMR jab (a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella).

If other vaccines are given at the same time, they will be injected separately in different parts of the body.

Side Effects of the Hib/MenC Booster

As with all medicines, vaccines can have side effects. Possible side effects of the Hib/MenC booster are outlined below.

Very common reactions
More than 1 child in 10 having the vaccine experiences the following:

• pain, redness or swelling at the site of the injection
• fever (temperature of 38°C or above)
• irritability
• loss of appetite
• sleepiness

Uncommon reactions
Uncommon side effects are:

• crying
• diarrhoea
• being sick feeling generally unwell
• fever of 39.5°C or above

Rare reactions
A skin rash is a rare side effect. Severe allergic reactions can also happen with any vaccine, but they are extremely rare. The people who give vaccinations are trained to deal with severe reactions and children recover completely with treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should have the vaccination?
The Hib/MenC booster is offered to infants soon after their first birthday.

Why is a booster dose of Hib/MenC needed?
This booster is needed to ensure longer-term protection from Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and meningitis C (MenC) infections. It also makes sure that disease levels remain low in the general population.

How will I know when to take my child for their Hib/MenC booster vaccination?
Appointments for the extra dose will be sent by your doctor. The vaccination will be given at your health centre or clinic.

What should I do if my child had a bad reaction after a previous dose of MenC or Hib?
The only medical reason for not giving another dose of the vaccine is if a child has a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (serious allergic reaction) to a previous dose of a MenC or Hib-containing vaccine. Even if your child has experienced bad side effects after a previous dose, it is recommended that they still receive further doses because the benefits of the protection given against these diseases far outweigh the discomfort of side effects.

Can my child cope with so many vaccines at one time?
Yes. The vaccines that babies are given in the first year of life are minor compared with the tens of thousands of bacteria and viruses in the environment that babies have to cope with every day.

Can my child have the Hib/MenC, MMR and PCV (pneumococcal vaccine) all at the same time?
Yes, these vaccines can be given together. The recommended childhood vaccination schedule indicates that Hib/MenC is given at 12-13 months of age at the same time as the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and the MMR.

What has been the impact of the MenC vaccine?
After the MenC vaccine was introduced in November 1999, there was a significant fall (99%) in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of meningitis C infections in all age groups. There was also a reduction of around 99% in those who had not been vaccinated. This suggests that the vaccine has produced a ‘herd immunity’ effect (it helps protect the whole community).

Are there any reasons why a baby shouldn't have the Hib/MenC booster vaccine?
There are very few reasons why babies cannot be immunised. The Hib/MenC vaccines should not be given to babies who have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (serious allergic reaction) to a previous dose of the vaccine, or to any component of the vaccine.

What should I do if my child is unwell after immunisation?
If your child develops a fever (a body temperature of 38°C or above), keep them cool, give them plenty of fluids and (if necessary) give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid. Fever is quite common in young children and is usually mild.

Call the doctor immediately if, at any time, your child has a temperature of 39°C or above or has a fit. If the surgery is closed and you cannot contact your doctor, trust your instincts and go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

Can Hib/MenC vaccine be given to older children and adults?
Currently, the combined Hib/MenC vaccine is not licensed for older children and adults but it may be given as recommended by your doctor.

If my child has recently had a dose of MenC vaccine, is it safe to give a dose of Hib/MenC?The Hib/MenC vaccine should be given at least one month after the last dose of MenC vaccine.

What are the most common side effects from the Hib/MenC vaccine?
Common side effects include pain, redness or swelling at the site of the injection, fever, irritability, loss of appetite and sleepiness.

Can this vaccine be given with other vaccines?
The Hib/MenC can be given at the same time as other vaccinations, such as the MMR.

What is Hib?
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) is an infection that can cause a number of serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis and blood poisoning.

What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the lining of the brain (causing meningitis) or the blood (causing blood poisoning). The MenC part of this vaccine only protects you against meningococcal meningitis, and not against any other type of meningitis.