Act-HIBâ„¢

• Recommended and offered free on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule to all children at 15 months of age.
• Recommended and offered free on the New Zealand Pre/Post Splenectomy Immunisation Programme to all children and adults.

• All children up to their 5th birthday.
• All children, up to their 16th birthday, with functional asplenia or who are pre/post splenectomy.
• All adults who are pre/post splenectomy.

• Anyone with severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of this vaccine or other Hib containing vaccine, or a component of the vaccine.
• Administration of Act-HIB™ should be postponed in individuals suffering from a fever over 38°C. The presence of a minor infection is not a reason to delay immunisation.

Almost all children are protected from Haemophilus influenzae type b after the Haemophilus influenzae type b booster dose of Act-HIB™ in their second year of life.

For all vaccines, similar to most medications, an extremely rare allergic reaction called ‘anaphylaxis’ can occur. Anaphylaxis after immunisation occurs about 1-3 times in every one million vaccine doses. All vaccinators will have training and equipment to deal with this situation in the unlikely event of it occurring. No other serious responses to the vaccine have been identified.

All children can catch up missed doses of this vaccine anytime before their 5th birthday. Children and adults with medical conditions eligible for the New Zealand Pre/Post Splenectomy Immunisation Programme can catch up a missed dose at any time.

A single dose of Act-HIB™ is recommended and offered free to adults eligible for the Pre/Post Splenectomy Immunisation Programme regardless of their previous Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination history. Where possible the vaccine should be administered 14 days prior to splenectomy.

Act-HIB™ is licensed for use in infants and children 2 months to 5 years of age. It is used out of licensure in adults as there is no alternative vaccine available in New Zealand for this age group.
When individuals are older than the age to which the vaccine is licensed, use will be outside of current licensure. There are not expected to be any safety concerns for use in older age groups.

Act-HIB™ is not funded for children (from 5 years of age) and adults requesting Haemophilus influenzae type B immunisation for any other reason.

Act-HIB™

In children, 12 months of age and over, and adults a single dose of Act-HIB™ is required.

• Intramuscular injection is the preferred method of administration for Act-HIB™. It can be administered subcutaneously when clinically indicated e.g., the vacinee has a serious bleeding disorder.
• In children, aged 12 months and over, and adults the deltoid muscle is the preferred injection site. The vastus lateralis muscle can be used when the child's deltoid muscle bulk is small and multiple injections are required.
• Act-HIB™ should be administered to children and adults with thrombocytopenia or bleeding disorders, e.g. haemophilia, in accordance with their haematologist's instructions. The vaccine may be given subcutaneously if the person's haematologist has advised against intramuscular injection of immunisations. Firm pressure should be applied to the injection site (without rubbing) for at least ten minutes following either intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.
• Act-HIB™ can be administered at the same visit as other live or non-live vaccines using a different syringe and separate injection site.
• Act-HIB™ is licensed for use in infants and children 2 months to 5 years of age. It is used out of licensure in children 5 years of age and over and adults as there is no alternative vaccine available in New Zealand for these age groups. When children/individuals are older than the age to which the vaccine is licensed, use will be outside of current licensure. No safety concerns are expected for use in older age groups.
• Women who are breast feeding can safely have Act-HIB™. No adverse consequences for a breast feeding infant have been observed following vaccination of lactating women.
• Act-HIB™ can be administered concurrently with other vaccines, including all the National Immunisation Schedule vaccines. Separate syringes and different injection sites should be used.
• Store between +2°C to +8°C. The expiry date of the vaccine is the last day of the month in the year indicated on the packaging.

As with any vaccine, Act-HIB™ may not protect 100% of vaccinated individuals.

Almost all children are protected from Haemophilus influenzae type b after a booster of Act-HIB™ in their second year of life.

Refer to the catch up section of the current Immunisation Handbook for age appropriate catch up schedules. Missed doses of Act-HIB™ on the Pre/Post Splenectomy Immunisation Prorgramme can be offered to children and adults at anytime.

• A severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of this vaccine or a component of the vaccine.
• Administration of Act-HIB™ should be postponed in individuals suffering from acute severe febrile illness (fever over 38°C). The presence of a minor infection is not a contraindication.