Should persons with cochlear implants receive the Hib vaccine?
Children less than aged 5 years should receive the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine as a routine protection, according to the Childhood Immunization Schedule. Most children born after 1990 received Hib vaccine as infants. For those age 5 years and older, Hib vaccine is not routinely recommended because most older children and adults are already immune to Hib, even if they have not received the Hib vaccine. Available information does not suggest children or adults of age 5 or older with cochlear implants need Hib vaccination. However, Hib vaccine can be given to older children and adults who have never received it.
Most children born after 1990 received the Hib vaccine as infants. Those who have not received Hib vaccine and who are younger than 5 years should receive the vaccine. For those aged 5 years and older, Hib vaccine is not routinely recommended, since most unvaccinated older children and adults are already immune to Hib. Available information does not suggest children or adults aged 5 years or older with cochlear implants need Hib vaccination. There is no specific contraindication to using Hib vaccine in unvaccinated older children and adults, and health care providers may consider its use in cochlear implant recipients. However, there also are no data demonstrating clinical benefit of Hib vaccination for persons with cochlear implants outside the recommended age range. If Hib vaccine is used in persons aged 5 years of older, a single intramuscular injection is all that is needed. For more information about use of Hib vaccine visit this Jan. 11, 1991 [40(RR01);1-7] MMWR article located a
