Hib stands for Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacterium that occurs occasionally in the nasal cavity of almost all people.

The bacterium usually does not pose a danger and you do not become ill or it remains limited to a runny nose, strep throat, ear infection or sinusitis. In young children, the infection can be serious and cause pneumonia, meningitis or a life-threatening throat infection.

The vaccination against Hib diseases has been part of the National Immunisation Programme since 1993. Children receive four vaccinations against Hib before their first birthday.