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Source: http://cbs3.com/health/hib.virus.medical.2.973492.html
Apr 1, 2009 4:41 pm US/Eastern
Health: HIB Vaccine
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
In health, Stephanie Stahl has an important warning for parents in the Philadelphia area. A deadly disease that was common 20 years ago is on the comeback. Health officials are warning that at least six unvaccinated children in Southeastern Pennsylvania have been infected, and two have died, from the Hib virus. Some say the resurgence is because of a vaccine shortage.
Two year old Chase Fuller is getting his annual check up. As an infant he got all three doses of the HIB vaccine... to protect against the invasive virus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, that can cause serious diseases, like meningitis. But Chase won't be getting an important Hib booster shot because there's a shortage due to a manufacturing problem. His mom is concerned.
"I was kind of really upset about that b/c I think that if anyone, a child should have a chance to have any type of vaccine, shots that they need," said Toshiko Parran, Chase's mother.
"This is very concerning," said Dr. Gary Emmett, Chief of Hospital Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He says children who get the first three doses of the HIB vaccine carry the germ. He says without the booster dose, which kills the germ, vaccinated children can pass the disease on to kids who haven't gotten shots, and that is why we're seeing a rise in Hib cases.
"Because we're not giving the fourth vaccine they're able to give it to others even if they don't get sick themselves," said Dr. Emmett.
Aside from the vaccine shortage, which is expected to end later this year, some parents choose not to have their children vaccinated. Hib is one of several vaccines recommended for children.
RELATED LINKS:
Hib Disease & Vaccine Information: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HibDisease/
Apr 1, 2009 4:41 pm US/Eastern
Health: HIB Vaccine
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
In health, Stephanie Stahl has an important warning for parents in the Philadelphia area. A deadly disease that was common 20 years ago is on the comeback. Health officials are warning that at least six unvaccinated children in Southeastern Pennsylvania have been infected, and two have died, from the Hib virus. Some say the resurgence is because of a vaccine shortage.
Two year old Chase Fuller is getting his annual check up. As an infant he got all three doses of the HIB vaccine... to protect against the invasive virus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, that can cause serious diseases, like meningitis. But Chase won't be getting an important Hib booster shot because there's a shortage due to a manufacturing problem. His mom is concerned.
"I was kind of really upset about that b/c I think that if anyone, a child should have a chance to have any type of vaccine, shots that they need," said Toshiko Parran, Chase's mother.
"This is very concerning," said Dr. Gary Emmett, Chief of Hospital Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He says children who get the first three doses of the HIB vaccine carry the germ. He says without the booster dose, which kills the germ, vaccinated children can pass the disease on to kids who haven't gotten shots, and that is why we're seeing a rise in Hib cases.
"Because we're not giving the fourth vaccine they're able to give it to others even if they don't get sick themselves," said Dr. Emmett.
Aside from the vaccine shortage, which is expected to end later this year, some parents choose not to have their children vaccinated. Hib is one of several vaccines recommended for children.
RELATED LINKS:
Hib Disease & Vaccine Information: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HibDisease/