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December 03, 2007

Hib vaccine...

Of all vaccine preventable diseases, Hib is IMO particularly scary. I am not afraid to admit being scared of meningitis...


"Children who survive Hib meningitis may develop permanent neurological disability, including brain damage, hearing loss, and mental retardation. 15% to 30% of children who survive Hib disease are at risk for these disabilities. 5% to 10% cases of Hib meningitis are at risk of dying." http://www.who.int/immunization/topics/hib/en/index1.html

Not my idea of good odds.

Here's another good link about Hib
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs294/en/

"The rate of invasive Hib disease has been reduced by 95% in neonates and infants since the introduction of its preventative vaccines...Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under age 5 before its vaccines were introduced. "http://www.meningitisfoundationofamerica.org/templates/content-view/80/index.html

So, in a nutshell...

The disease is particularly scary and targets the youngest and most vulnerable of our population. The vaccine is safe and effective. That's why I chose to give Hib.