One hib shot as a toddler

[stacey05]

I would just like to hear from other parents who only gave the hib shot to their toddler and nothing else. No other vaxes before and none at the same time.

I would like to know how your child handled the vaccine, what the side effects/reactions were, if any, how old your child was, breastfed or not, etc. Any info that you think would be relevant to someone thinking about doing this vaccine.

I am thinking of this one for my 20 mo., but having a hard time finding any info on how toddlers handle it when it is their first and only vaccine so far.

Anyone fit into this category?

Thanks,....oh, and if possible, what brand of vaccine was used.

[carriebft]

My daughter got the one shot. We had decided against hib until we were in the situation of having an infant and a child in a school situation. So she got the one dose, and had no issues with it. She was almost 3 if I remember correctly. She had been breastfed until she was almost 2.

I also have concerns about whether that one shot 'is enough' or not. Another member (or was it you?) asked this the other day and I am currently looking into what I can find about immunity levels with only one shot.

[Friday13th]

DS got his first dose at 13 months and is now due for the second and final. He has had no other shots, is BF and we followed Dr. Sear's vitamin dose recommendations before hand. We did not give him any tylenol before or after. He had literally no reaction and trust me, I was looking. No redness, swelling, crying, fever, irritability. Absolutely no reaction.

[zinemama]

I fit in your category. I got the hib shot for my son when he was 1yo. He'd had no vaxes up till then. Our doc told us that because he was one, he only needed the single dose.

(Friday13th, I don't get why your son would need a second one.)

I have no idea about the brand. Ds was breastfed (and was still nursing at that time). I gave him liquid vitamin C beforehand. He had absolutely no reactions at the time of the shot or afterwards, that I could detect. (I had read that hib has a low rate of reactions compared to other vaxes.)

He's 6 now and that's the only vax he's had. I will be getting him a few others as he gets older.

[Friday13th]

According to the CDC pink book if the first dose is administered between 12 and 14 months, a second (booster dose) is required two months later. It is only if the first dose is administered after 15 months that no booster is required. Maybe it was different when your son was a baby.

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by Friday13th

According to the CDC pink book if the first dose is administered between 12 and 14 months, a second (booster dose) is required two months later. It is only if the first dose is administered after 15 months that no booster is required. Maybe it was different when your son was a baby.

That is based on guess work. No science to back it up.

A child that is being nursed absolutely is protected by bm.

www.insidevaccines.com/wordpress

[stacey05]

This is an old thread, but I wanted to "bump" it up as I am still considering this one and only vaccine for my child at the moment. He is 31 months now and stopped bf'ing at 24 months. He is very healthy, but I am considering just the hib vaccine because epiglottitis (sp?) concerns me, of course, as well as hib meningitis. I have researched and not sure on the protective effect of bf'ing once you stop. I know I don't want prevnar, so I want make sure that having a hib shot will not make him more vulnerable to other strains of hi or pneumococcal too.

Anyone else have any experiences with the hib vaccine in a toddler with no other shots at the time? This would be my lo's only shot so far. Thanks!

[Mirzam]

Yes, my eldest DD got one dose as a 15 month old, that was over 17 years ago now. She didn't have any obvious reaction to the shot. However, if I were to do it over, I would never have gotten the vaccination for her. Pointless IMO. She nursed until she was four years old.

ETD: I have no idea what brand she got. It had to be special ordered from Japan.

[anewmama]

Based on some long threads in the selective vaccination board, questions directly addressing breastfeeding and immunity, I elected to give my daughter the one dose. She only had one and doesn't need any more. she has reacted to every shot she has gotten (only a few) and a few days later had diarrhea, fever and some vomiting. IT didn't last very long. Look for those threads as they were quite interesting and they might help you decide. I am not sold on the BF provides total protection based on some of the discussion, particularly when you stop breastfeeding.

[japonica]

The question I always had about this was how do officials KNOW it's enough? Back when there was the Hib vaccine shortage, they were telling parents that the kids due for boosters didn't need them, yet when supply was re-established, then the regular schedule was recommended. It'd hard to put faith in recommendations when it seems like it's made up as they go along.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1032702

[stacey05]

I found these studies regarding hib/bf'ing"

Breastfeeding provides passive and likely long-lasting active immunity.
Hanson,-L-A
Ann-Allergy-Asthma-Immunol. 1998 Dec; 81(6): 523-33; quiz 533-4, 537
"OBJECTIVES: The reader of this review will learn about the mechanisms through which breastfeeding protects against infections during and most likely after lactation, as well as possibly against certain immunologic diseases, including allergy. .....RESULTS: Human milk protects against infections in the breastfed offspring mainly via the secretory IgA antibodies, but also most likely via several other factors like the bactericidal lactoferrin. It is striking that the defense factors of human milk function without causing inflammation, some components are even directly anti-inflammatory. Protection against infections has been well evidenced during lactation against, e.g., acute and prolonged diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, otitis media, urinary tract infection, neonatal septicemia, and necrotizing enterocolitis. There is also interesting evidence for an enhanced protection remaining for years after lactation against diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, otitis media, Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, and wheezing illness. In several instances the protection seems to improve with the duration of breastfeeding. Some, but not all studies have shown better vaccine responses among breastfed than non-breastfed infants. A few factors in milk like anti-antibodies (anti-idiotypic antibodies) and T and B lymphocytes have in some experimental models been able to transfer priming of the breastfed offspring. This together with transfer of numerous cytokines and growth factors via milk may add to an active stimulation of the infant's immune system. Consequently, the infant might respond better to both infections and vaccines. Such an enhanced function could also explain why breastfeeding may protect against immunologic diseases like coeliac disease and possibly allergy. Suggestions of protection against autoimmune diseases and tumors have also been published, but need confirmation. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding may, in addition to the well-known passive protection against infections during lactation, have a unique capacity to stimulate the immune system of the offspring possibly with several long-term positive effects."

And this one:

Protective effect of breastfeeding on invasive Haemophilus influenzae infection: a case-control study in Swedish preschool children.
Silfverdal,-S-A; Bodin,-L; Hugosson,-S; Garpenholt,-O; Werner,-B; Esbjorner,-E; Lindquist,-B; Olcen,-P
Int-J-Epidemiol. 1997 Apr; 26(2): 443-50
"BACKGROUND: In Orebro County a 2.5-fold increase in the incidence of Haemophilus influenzae (HI) meningitis was found between 1970 and 1980, an observation that initiated the present study..... RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between invasive HI infection and two independent factors, i.e. short duration (< 13 weeks) of exclusive breastfeeding, odds ratio (OR) 3.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-8.8) and history of frequent infections, OR 4.49 (95% CI : 1.0-21.0). For the age at onset 12 months or older, the associations were stronger, OR 7.79 (95% CI : 2.4-26.6) and 5.86 (95% CI : 1.1-30.6), respectively. When breastfeeding duration in weeks was analysed as a continuous variable the OR was 0.95 (95% CI : 0.92-0.99), indicating a decreased risk with each additional week. Increased OR were observed for other risk factors as well but not of the magnitude found for short duration of breastfeeding. DISCUSSION: The association of decreased risk for invasive HI infection and long duration of breastfeeding was persisting beyond the period of breastfeeding itself. This finding supports the hypothesis of a long-lasting protective effect of breastfeeding on the risk for invasive HI infection. CONCLUSION: A decreased risk for invasive HI infection with long duration of breastfeeding was found. Our results do have implications for strategies in breastfeeding promotion, especially in countries where Hib vaccination is too costly and not yet implemented."

I found these studies from the archives here, but they were originally found at

http://www.vaccinationnews.com/Daily...astfeeding.htm

This does make it sound like breastfeeding has protective benefits even after breastfeeding has stopped. It also sounds like the longer you have breastfed the better. I am probably thinking that bf'ing wouldn't guarantee protection for sure, but neither does vaccination for sure, right? My main concerns with vaccinating are opening the door for other serotypes to move in and get out of control or transferrance with types other than hi strains. I also worry about behavior changes, like autism, happening. Don't ask me why I have a strong sense of worrying about that since most parents blame the mmr for their child's regression into autism. I just have this gut feeling that he could suffer a change in his personality after this one...is that weird? I also worry most about meningitis...it is scary! If it wasn't for meningitis, I think I would be almost 100% sure of my decision not to vaccinate. I am not saying that the others don't worry me, just that most are illnesses I think they would be able to handle or not that much of a threat in our country anymore (polio), etc. I am considering tetanus vaccine eventually.

[japonica]

Stacey, as always, you've really examined it from all the angles. It's a tough decision. I haven't looked at any research in the toddler years, but have there been any studies done of kids who did receive that 1 shot and what their immunity was estimated to be? That may help you decide...

I know it's totally anecdotal, but I keep thinking about how none of us in my generation were vaxed for Hib and yet the vast majority did not come down with invasive Hib/meningitis. It's hardly scientific, but even back then, when the CDC reported that there were thousands of cases per year, it just wasn't an issue. I don't think a doctor told my mother once during well check ups in the early 70s to be on guard for Hib.

[newmum35]

I don't exactly fit your criteria because mine did have 1 other shot (DTaP) about 3 weeks before his Hib (and he also was a young baby 3-4 months old not a toddler) but I would say follow your instincts if you are lucky enough to have them.

I felt my baby did great with his 3 DTaP (at least nothing out of the ordinary I could observe). But he regressed for about 4 weeks following his hib shot (and I never did another) and I was never sure exactly why since it was only after the hib and not the other one. (the order I did it was DTaP, Hib, DTaP, DTaP) so I was definitely looking with the remaining 2 DTaP.

I believe we used ActHib - the kind with no preservatives, no aluminum, etc. His thigh did get hot and hard all over (different from the DTaP which was more like a "lump"). Supposedly this is the "safest" vaccine. I don't believe it. (anymore)

I'd seriously research serotype replacement. I don't feel this one is necessary at all (and can even be harmful) but that's just me, and perhaps my peronal experience is making me biased. I know my generation never had Hib vax and our parents were never worried about it. (and all the generations before them too) - didn't I even read something once about after the DTP came out (1940s I think), the # of Hib cases started to climb too - possible connection maybe with reduced immune function? (or was it the introduction of antibiotics? hmmm lol memory lapse)

Do a search for lollicup - her baby (1 yr I think) had the hib vax and within days came down with viral meningitis. Scary stuff. I believe there is a connection. There is a risk either way. You have to choose the risk you are most comfortable with.

[LilacMama]

Well, I don't exactly fit your criteria because my DD has had 3 DTaps, but I'll post anyway.

I decided to go ahead and give her the single Hib at 15 months. I'm breastfeeding her much less these days and also putting her in the gym childcare on a regular basis. My doctor (not a vaccine pusher at all) recommended it and she did great with it. No problems at all.

[stacey05]

Thanks for all the replies so far!! For those of you whose children did fine, do you know what brand you got?

Also, does anyone know of any reason a 32 month old shouldn't get this? I mean, I was wondering if it has been studied only up to 15 mos? Or do you think that an older child (32 mos) would handle it better? I am ready to stop thinking about this and I know over 5 is safer, but I also think the risk drops over 2 years old too, right?

[japonica]

Stacey:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1051281