There is a lot of misinformation about vaccines, so each month Texas Medicine magazine highlights a disease that childhood and adult immunizations can prevent. The material is designed to help you talk to your patients about the severity of these diseases and help them understand the benefits of vaccines.
Texas Medicine recently highlighted Haemophilus influenzae type b – or Hib, which, despite its name, does not cause influenza. However, Hib causes several severe illnesses, particularly meningitis, mostly in children younger than 5.
Four brands of vaccine are used today: ActHIB, Hiberix, PedvaxHIB, and Pentacel. Doses usually are given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months.
For more information about talking to your patients about Hib, including a printable copy of the infographic below and a simple educational video, see the Texas Medical Association website.
TMA designed this “Talk to Patients About” series to inform patients of the facts about these diseases and to help them understand the benefits of vaccinations to prevent illness. Diseases covered include:
- Flu,
- Measles,
- Mumps,
- Polio,
- Tetanus,
- Pneumococcal disease,
- Human papillomavirus (HPV),
- Chickenpox and shingles,
- Hepatitis A,
- Pertussis (whooping cough),
- Rubella (also known as German measles), and
- Rotavirus.
Visit the TMA website to find out about efforts to raise immunization awareness and how funding is used to increase vaccination rates.
TMA actively works to improve vaccination rates in Texas through its Be Wise – ImmunizeSM program. More than 340,000 shots have been given to Texas children, adolescents, and adults since the program began in 2004. It is funded in 2019 by the TMA Foundation thanks to H-E-B, TMF Health Quality Institute, Pfizer Inc., and gifts from physicians and their families.
Last Updated On
September 11, 2023
Originally Published On
August 12, 2019